Trump claims to be Venezuela’s “acting president” in Truth Social post
Donald Trump has styled himself as Venezuela’s interim leader from January 2026 in a Truth Social post, days after a US operation that captured Nicolás Maduro, a move that analysts say has no clear basis in international recognition.
- Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he is the "acting president of Venezuela," with the claim to be effective from January 2026.
- The declaration was made following the arrest of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by US forces in Caracas.
- As a result of his claimed authority, Trump ordered a halt to Venezuelan oil shipments that were being sent to Cuba.
- International law experts and analysts view the claim as a "symbolic political performance" rather than a constitutional appointment, as it lacks official endorsement or international recognition.
It has become a flashpoint shaking global diplomacy and security after Donald Trump, the President of the United States, used his personal social media platform to announce an unprecedented expansion of his authority, claiming the right to run Venezuela outright.
Power play on social media: declaring control over “Venezuela”
The world’s attention turned to Trump’s Truth Social account on Sunday (January 11), where he posted that he is the US President and the “acting president of Venezuela”, effective from January 2026 onwards.
The announcement came amid a political vacuum after Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s former leader, was arrested by US forces in Caracas on January 3.
Although there has been no clear explanation under international law to support such a status, Trump insisted that Venezuela no longer needs protection from “thugs”, because the most powerful military in the world, the US armed forces, is now watching over it.
Oil shut-off to pressure Cuba: “deal” before it’s too late
The fallout from Trump’s claim to leadership in Venezuela immediately hit Cuba.
Trump warned the Cuban government to strike a deal with the United States before it is too late, saying he had ordered a halt to about 35,000 barrels a day of oil and large sums of money that Venezuela had previously sent to Cuba in exchange for security protection for the former leadership.
Trump also signalled support for Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, to become president of Cuba instead, arguing that Cuba is “ready to collapse” and that military intervention may not be necessary in this case.
US troop movements: experts say it is only “symbolic”
However, in the view of analysts and international law experts, Trump’s declaration as Venezuela’s acting president is seen as a “symbolic political performance” intended to send a message to allies and adversaries, rather than an appointment made through any constitutional process.
This is because there has been no official statement from the White House endorsing the claim, and leading another state to require recognition from the international community, a condition that has not occurred.
From Latin America to the Arctic: a “seizure” strategy that rattles NATO
Trump’s ambition has not stopped in Latin America.
It has also extended to Greenland, a territory under the sovereignty of Denmark.
Reports say Trump has instructed senior commanders to draft plans for an invasion of Greenland for security reasons and to counter the influence of Russia and China.
The hardline posture has prompted European countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France to rush to draw up an “Arctic Sentry” operational plan to deploy NATO troops in Greenland to block Trump.
Diplomats warn that if the United States were to use military force to invade Greenland, it could lead to the collapse of the NATO alliance.
