JUST IN: Trump Proclaims Himself ‘Acting President of Venezuela’ Days After Maduro’s Capture

United States President Donald Trump has stirred widespread controversy after declaring himself the “Acting President of Venezuela” in a post shared on his Truth Social platform.
The declaration comes only days after Trump signed an Executive Order announcing a national emergency aimed at safeguarding Venezuelan oil revenues held in U.

S. Treasury accounts from legal attachment or judicial seizure.
According to Trump, the move is intended to advance U.S. foreign policy interests and protect national security objectives.
In a statement released by the White House, the Executive Order blocks any form of attachment, judgment, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial processes against Venezuelan oil revenues and proceeds from diluent sales deposited in U.S. Treasury accounts.
The funds, officially classified as “Foreign Government Deposit Funds,” are to remain frozen unless expressly authorised under the new directive. The order further prohibits any transfer or transaction involving the funds and supersedes previous directives that may have regulated or restricted such dealings.
The Executive Order clarifies that the oil revenues are the sovereign property of Venezuela, held in U.S. custody strictly for governmental and diplomatic purposes, and cannot be claimed by private individuals or entities.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy has reiterated warnings that Venezuela’s security situation remains extremely volatile. American citizens have been strongly advised not to travel to the country and to leave immediately if they are currently there.
In a security alert issued on January 10, 2026, the embassy restated long-standing travel advisories dating back to 2019, when the United States fully withdrew diplomatic personnel from its Caracas mission and suspended all consular services.
It will be recalled that U.S. forces recently launched an operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife over alleged involvement in drug trafficking and terrorism—an action that sent shockwaves across the international community.
Following Maduro’s capture, several world leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, condemned what they described as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty. The United Nations also criticised the move, warning that such actions could undermine global security and make all nations less safe.
What are your thoughts on President Trump’s actions? Do you believe they reflect dictatorial tendencies? Share your views in the comments section below.