Venezuela Supreme Court Names Vice President Delcy Rodríguez Interim President After Maduro’s Removal

By Iyojo Ameh

Venezuela’s Supreme Court has appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the country’s interim president following the arrest and removal of President Nicolás Maduro by the United States, a development that has plunged the South American nation into fresh political uncertainty.

In a ruling issued late Saturday, the court directed Rodríguez to assume presidential duties in an acting capacity, citing the need to ensure continuity of governance and safeguard Venezuela’s sovereignty amid what it described as “extraordinary circumstances.”

The court said Rodríguez would exercise full presidential powers while it reviews the legal framework required to manage the country in Maduro’s absence.
The decision followed confirmation by U.S. President Donald Trump that American forces had detained Maduro and flown him out of Venezuela.

Speaking later at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump said the United States would temporarily oversee Venezuela until a leadership transition is completed.

Trump added that U.S. oil companies would be deployed to help repair Venezuela’s dilapidated oil infrastructure, while stressing that the existing American embargo on Venezuelan oil exports would remain in force. He also said U.S. military forces would stay on alert.

However, the U.S. president did not clarify how Washington intended to administer the country despite the continued presence of Venezuela’s vice president, National Assembly and military leadership, all of whom have publicly opposed the U.S. action.

Reports indicated that a plane carrying Maduro landed at Stewart International Airport in New York State on Saturday evening. The former president is expected to face legal proceedings in the United States, though details of the charges have not been officially disclosed.

The unfolding events have sharply escalated political tensions, as Venezuela’s institutions seek to assert constitutional authority while the United States presses ahead with plans that critics say amount to direct intervention in the country’s internal affairs.

International reactions have been swift, with several governments and multilateral bodies expressing concern over the implications of Maduro’s removal and the broader impact on regional stability.