US President Donald Trump posted an image on social media claiming he is the “Acting President of Venezuela, Incumbent January 2026.” The picture looked like an edited Wikipedia page with his official portrait and said he served as the 45th and 47th President of the United States. However, the real Wikipedia page does not list him as Venezuela’s acting leader, and no international group has recognised that title. 

This came after a US military operation in Venezuela led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Maduro was flown to New York to face drug trafficking charges.

Maduro appeared in a federal court in New York and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Back in Venezuela, his deputy Delcy Rodríguez took the oath as interim President. Rodríguez has rejected the US claims and insists that Maduro is the rightful leader. 

Hours after the operation, Trump said the United States would “run” Venezuela for a short time, saying it was necessary for security and a smooth transition. He also said the US would control and sell Venezuelan oil during this period.

Trump warned that Delcy Rodríguez could “pay a very big price” if she did not cooperate with the US. He also suggested her consequences could be even worse than those facing Maduro, who is in US custody. 

Trump also claimed credit after Venezuela announced it would release some political prisoners “in a big way” after US action. On Truth Social, he urged the freed prisoners to “never forget it.”

At the same time, the US President asked major American oil companies to invest up to $100 billion in Venezuela to increase oil production quickly. He said the US would decide which companies could operate in the country and help rebuild its oil industry. 

Trump praised an agreement with Venezuela’s interim leadership to provide 50 million barrels of crude oil to the United States, adding that deliveries could continue for a long time. He said increasing supply would help reduce energy prices in the US.

He also signed an executive order to protect money in the United States that comes from the sale of Venezuelan oil.