Overview
- President Donald Trump posted a Wikipedia-style image on Truth Social labeling himself “Acting President of Venezuela,” which does not appear on his actual Wikipedia page and has no legal or international recognition.
- Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal and legislature installed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president following Nicolás Maduro’s seizure and transfer to New York, where he pleaded not guilty to narco‑terrorism and drug charges.
- The White House says a new executive order declares a national emergency to shield Venezuelan oil revenues held in U.S. Treasury accounts from court judgments or creditor claims.
- Trump has said the United States will temporarily "run" Venezuela and has touted plans for U.S.-controlled sales of 30 to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, with proceeds directed by his administration.
- Global pushback has mounted, with the U.N. and several governments questioning the operation’s legality, and major oil firms such as ExxonMobil signaling reluctance to re-enter Venezuela without major legal protections.