Venezuela Court Appoints Delcy Rodriguez Acting President After U.S. Seizes Maduro

Venezuela’s Supreme Court has directed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to temporarily assume presidential powers following the dramatic capture of President Nicolás Maduro by United States special forces.

In a ruling delivered late Saturday, the court ordered Rodriguez to “assume and exercise, in an acting capacity, all attributes and responsibilities of the presidency to ensure administrative continuity and defend the nation.” However, the court stopped short of declaring Maduro permanently absent from office — a constitutional ruling that would trigger a presidential election within 30 days — leaving the country in a state of legal and political uncertainty.

Maduro was taken into U.S. custody during a pre-dawn operation involving airstrikes on military facilities in and around Caracas. He and his wife were flown out of Venezuela, and by Saturday night, the 63-year-old leader was reportedly being held in a New York jail, where he is expected to face drug trafficking and weapons charges.

The White House released video footage showing Maduro handcuffed and escorted through a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration facility. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the operation and said Washington would remain involved in Venezuela’s political transition. He hinted at the potential deployment of U.S. troops and suggested his administration was willing to work with Rodriguez, despite her firm rejection of foreign interference and her demand for Maduro’s release.

Meanwhile, opposition leader María Corina Machado declared that “the hour of freedom has arrived,” calling on opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia to immediately assume leadership. Trump dismissed Machado’s influence, claiming she lacked support in Venezuela.

Trump was also explicit about U.S. intentions regarding Venezuela’s oil sector, announcing plans for major U.S. oil companies to enter the country to rebuild the industry and increase production.

Global reaction to the U.S. operation was swift and largely critical. China strongly condemned the intervention, France insisted that political solutions cannot be imposed externally, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over violations of international law. The UN Security Council is expected to meet Monday to discuss the crisis.

The operation involved heavy air power, with residents in Caracas reporting explosions and military helicopters around 2 a.m. U.S. military officials said about 150 aircraft participated and that Maduro surrendered without resistance.

As smoke lingered over Caracas by morning and security forces guarded key buildings, Venezuela entered an uncertain new phase marked by competing claims to power, foreign involvement and constitutional ambiguity.