Trump Shares Fake Image, Declares Himself ‘Acting President of Venezuela’

Former US President Donald Trump recently ignited controversy by sharing a manipulated image of his Wikipedia page. The post, featured on Truth Social, identified him as the “Acting President of Venezuela,” with an assumed office date of January 20, 2025. Notably, it named US Vice President JD Vance as his deputy.

Controversial Image Sparks Debate

The authenticity of the image has been challenged, as no official documentation supports Trump’s claim to any governing role in Venezuela. This dubious assertion emerged during significant political changes in the South American country.

Military Developments in Venezuela

Recently, Venezuela has seen major political upheaval following a US-led military operation. This operation resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, who, along with his wife, Cilia Flores, was detained in Caracas. They are currently being held in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and face serious federal charges related to drug trafficking and alleged ties to designated terrorist organizations.

Military Actions and Implications

• The operation was executed by US Army’s Delta Force.
• The US had increased military presence in the region, deploying the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and other assets in the Caribbean.

Venezuela’s Interim Leadership

In the wake of Maduro’s removal, Delcy Rodríguez, formerly the vice president and oil minister, was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president. The ceremony took place before the National Assembly, with her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, presiding. A total of 283 lawmakers from May’s parliamentary elections also took their oaths during the event, although most opposition parties had boycotted those elections.

Current Political Climate

Cilia Flores’ absence from the swearing-in ceremony raised eyebrows, given her detention in the United States. After these upheavals, Trump stated that the US would oversee Venezuela temporarily during a transition period, promising to reinstate oil production.

US Government’s Position

While Trump asserted that the US would be “in charge” of Venezuela, Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to clarify the administration’s stance. He indicated that the US does not plan to directly govern Venezuela but will enforce an “oil quarantine.” This approach aims to influence political outcomes in the country.

As events continue to unfold, the situation in Venezuela remains complex, involving military, political, and economic aspects that could impact the region significantly.