Venezuela’s Supreme Court has named Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president, following the sudden removal of President Nicolás Maduro from the country by the United States.
In a ruling delivered late on Saturday, the apex court directed Rodríguez to assume the full responsibilities of the presidency in an acting capacity, citing the need to ensure continuity of governance and the defence of national sovereignty.
The court said Rodríguez was to “assume and exercise all the attributes, duties and powers inherent to the office of President,” pending further legal deliberations on the circumstances surrounding Maduro’s forced absence.
It added that the bench would subsequently consider the appropriate legal framework to safeguard state continuity, public administration and national defence.
The development came amid heightened tensions after US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would take charge of Venezuela until a leadership transition was arranged.
Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump said the United States would oversee the country to enable what he described as a “safe, proper and judicious transition.”
He, however, offered scant details on how such oversight would be implemented, despite Venezuela’s vice-president, legislature and military structures remaining intact and openly rejecting the move.
Trump indicated that US oil companies could be deployed to Venezuela, even as he maintained that Washington’s embargo on Venezuelan oil remained in force. He also said American forces would remain on alert.
The court’s decision effectively places Rodríguez at the helm of affairs as Venezuela grapples with an escalating political and diplomatic standoff.
