Former US President Donald Trump sparked international attention by posting an image on his Truth Social platform on January 11, 2026, designating himself as the 'Acting President of Venezuela'. The post, which included his official portrait, also listed him as 'Incumbent January 2026' and the '45th and 47th President of the United States, assumed office January 20, 2025'. This provocative declaration came days after a significant US military operation on January 3, 2026, in which Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in Caracas and subsequently flown to New York. They now face federal charges related to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. Following Maduro's capture, Trump had stated that the United States would 'run' Venezuela temporarily during a transition period and control its substantial oil revenues, claiming it was to ensure a safe and proper handover. However, this stance has been met with contradictions from within the US administration, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicating that the US does not plan to directly govern Venezuela but will maintain an 'oil quarantine' to influence policy. Meanwhile, Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice ordered Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to assume the presidency, and she was formally sworn in as the country's interim president last week. The legality of Maduro's capture under international law has also been questioned by experts. The news has significant implications for US foreign policy, international law, and the political landscape of Venezuela.