Trump Calls Himself ‘Acting President of Venezuela’ in Social Media Post, White House Silent

The post comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas following recent US actions in Venezuela. Earlier this month, the United States detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and brought them to New York. US authorities have not released detailed information on the legal basis or future course of action related to the detention.

In his post, Trump also referred to himself as both the 45th and 47th President of the United States, reinforcing the political messaging around his leadership and foreign policy approach. While the Truth Social statement has circulated widely, US officials have remained non-committal on whether it reflects any formal policy decision.

Trump further claimed that the United States would temporarily oversee Venezuela’s administration until what he described as a “safe transfer of power” takes place. According to his statement, an interim Venezuelan government has been installed, led by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who was sworn in last week. Trump said the arrangement is intended to prevent leadership that, in his view, would undermine the interests of the Venezuelan people.

A key element of Trump’s claim involves Venezuela’s oil sector. He stated that the interim government would provide the US with 30 to 50 million barrels of sanctioned Venezuelan oil, to be sold at market rates. Trump added that the revenue from these sales would remain under his control as US President and be used for the benefit of both countries. He said he had instructed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to move ahead with the plan.

Separately, Trump hosted a meeting at the White House on January 9 with executives from major energy companies, including ExxonMobil, Chevron and ConocoPhillips. He said the US would decide which firms are permitted to invest in Venezuela. Chevron Vice Chairman Mark Nelson confirmed the company’s continued interest in operating in the country.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Interior Ministry has reported that around 100 security personnel were killed during US action on January 3. A former US intelligence official suggested the symptoms described were consistent with directed energy weapons, though no official confirmation has been made. The developments have raised concerns across Latin America, with observers warning of broader regional implications.