January 12, 2026 | 02:29 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - US President Donald Trump posted a seemingly edited screenshot on his Truth Social account presenting him as "Acting President of Venezuela" on Monday, January 12, 2026, as reported by NDTV.
Following Washington's abduction of the Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, Trump declared the US would temporarily "run" Venezuela.
The Wikipedia-style screenshot claims Trump as the Acting President of Venezuela since January 2026, while maintaining his current post as US president.
The actual Wikipedia page lists no such claim, and no international body has acknowledged this claim.
The post came against the backdrop of Maduro's abduction and months of US pressure, sanctions. and military activities targeting the oil-rich country.
China, Russia, Colombia, and even Spain have condemned US' action as blatant international law violations.
Venezuela is currently run by Delcy Rodríguez, who was sworn in by the Supreme Court. The acting president pledged on Saturday to bring back Maduro and his wife, who have been detained by the US since January 3.
Speaking at a community event in the State of Miranda, she stated that there is no uncertainty about the leadership or the government program of Venezuela.
"There is no uncertainty here. The Venezuelan people are in charge, and there is a government, that of President Nicolas Maduro," Rodriguez said.
She also vowed not to rest "for a single minute" until Maduro and Flores return to Venezuela.
Trump's Threat
Trump warned that Rodriguez could "pay a very big price" if she does not cooperate with the US. Trump suggested that the consequences could be heavier than Maduro's, who is detained in New York on charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.
Trump also claimed success after Venezuela announced releasing a number of political prisoners as a gesture to "seek peace." On Truth Social, he stated that the release occurred "in a big way" after the US action and warned the released prisoners to "never forget it."
The US President also urged major American oil companies to invest up to $100 billion in Venezuela to accelerate the expansion of the country's oil production.
Speaking at a meeting in the White House with oil company executives last week, Trump said the US will decide which companies are allowed to operate in Venezuela and assist in rebuilding the deteriorating Venezuelan oil sector.
He praised the agreement with the interim leadership of Venezuela to supply 50 million barrels of crude oil to the US and stated that the shipments could continue indefinitely. He mentioned that the increased supply will help lower US energy prices.
Trump signed an executive order protecting funds held in the US resulting from the sales of Venezuelan oil.
Read: US Attempts to Paint Nicolas Maduro as a Drug Baron
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