US President Donald Trump recently shared a digitally altered image on his Truth Social platform declaring himself the “Acting President of Venezuela.”

The post, which appeared shortly after dramatic developments in the South American nation, featured a mock-up resembling an edited Wikipedia page. It displayed Trump’s official portrait alongside text positioning him as the incumbent in that role as of January 2026, while also referencing his tenures as the 45th and 47th President of the United States, beginning January 20, 2025.

According to the Economic Times, this unusual claim emerged against the backdrop of a highly controversial US military intervention in Venezuela that began in early January 2026. American forces conducted a large-scale operation involving coordinated strikes, resulting in the capture of longtime Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

The pair was swiftly transported to the United States, where Maduro now faces federal charges related to drug trafficking, narco-terrorism conspiracy, and other alleged criminal activities, as outlined by the US Department of Justice.

Trump has framed the action as a necessary law-enforcement measure against what he describes as a criminal regime involved in flooding the US with narcotics, while also emphasizing the need to restore stability and revive Venezuela’s oil infrastructure.

Following Maduro’s removal, Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice swore in Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the country’s interim president, in accordance with Venezuelan constitutional procedures.

Rodríguez has publicly rejected US claims of authority over the nation, demanded Maduro’s release, and insisted on his status as the legitimate leader, though reports suggest varying degrees of cooperation with Washington on energy matters.

Trump, meanwhile, has repeatedly stated that the United States would “run” Venezuela temporarily to ensure a “safe, proper, and judicious transition,” including overseeing oil production and exports during this period.

He has warned of potential further military action if interim authorities fail to align with US interests, particularly regarding access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves—the largest in the world.

The intervention has drawn sharp international criticism, with nations including China, Russia, Colombia, and Spain condemning it as a violation of sovereignty and international law.

Maduro himself has described his capture as a “kidnapping,” and the episode has revived debates about US interventionism in Latin America, echoing historical precedents like the 1989 invasion of Panama.

Supporters of the operation view it as a bold strike against corruption and drug trafficking, while critics see it as an overreach driven by resource interests, potentially destabilizing the region and setting dangerous precedents for future foreign policy actions.

Trump’s social media post adds a layer of provocation and symbolism to an already tense situation. By jokingly—or perhaps pointedly—presenting himself in this role, he appears to underscore his administration’s direct involvement in Venezuela’s affairs, even as no official international recognition exists for such a claim.

The move has fueled online memes, political commentary, and speculation about broader US ambitions in the hemisphere, including hints at reduced support for allied nations like Cuba that previously benefited from Venezuelan oil.