Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice has ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the powers and duties of acting president after President Nicolás Maduro was detained by U.S. forces and taken to New York, according to court rulings and multiple news reports.
The Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court issued the decision on January 4, 2026, citing the need to ensure “administrative continuity of the state and the defense of the nation” in the event that Maduro is “materially and temporarily unable” to carry out his duties. Under the ruling, Rodríguez will take on the role of acting head of state to manage government functions during this transitional period.
The move follows a dramatic escalation earlier in the week when U.S. military operations in Venezuela resulted in Maduro’s capture and removal from the country. The extraordinary action has sparked intense debate internationally about its legality, geopolitical implications, and impact on Venezuelan sovereignty.
Rodríguez, who has served as vice president since 2018 and is a long-time figure in Venezuelan politics, now faces the complex task of governing during a period of national crisis. Her appointment as acting president comes amid conflicting claims about leadership and significant diplomatic friction between Venezuela, the United States, and other global actors.
The situation remains fluid, with global attention focused on how Venezuela’s institutions will function in the absence of its long-time leader and what this means for regional stability.
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