Recent developments have sparked international attention as former U.S. President Donald Trump appears too be asserting a new role in Venezuelan affairs. A screenshot, reportedly posted by Trump on Monday evening, suggests a revised online presence reflecting a claim to the interim presidency of Venezuela as of January 2026.
The image, seemingly sourced from the English Wikipedia page for Donald Trump, displays his title as the 45th and 47th President of the United States, alongside the added designation of “Interim President of Venezuela.” This claim, however, is not currently reflected on the official English Wikipedia page or its simplified English counterpart, as of this writing.
The U.S. Operation and Maduro’s Capture
On January 3rd, the United States, under Trump’s direction, executed a special operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The operation stemmed from accusations of Maduro’s involvement in narcotics trafficking. Following the operation, maduro was taken into U.S. custody and is currently incarcerated within the United States.
In Maduro’s absence, Delcy Rodríguez, his former vice president, has been appointed as the interim president of Venezuela. this move follows a pattern observed in similar geopolitical transitions, where a designated successor assumes leadership during a period of instability.
Following Maduro’s capture, Trump stated that the United States would be in charge of Venezuela
, though he has not yet indicated any intention to temporarily assume the Venezuelan presidency himself.
When questioned on Sunday aboard Air Force One about a potential visit to Venezuela, the former president responded, I think sometime.
He also announced a likely meeting with nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader, scheduled for either January 13th or 14th.
Image source: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Did You Know? Venezuela possesses the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated at 303.8 billion barrels as of 2023, according to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy. This makes the country a significant player in global energy markets and a focal point for international interest.
