The Supreme Tribunal of Justice of Venezuela (TSJ) has ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the role of acting president, following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by US forces.

 

 

 

The decision was issued by the Constitutional Chamber and read publicly by its president, Caryslia Beatriz Rodríguez, on state broadcaster Venezolana de Televisión (VTV).

 

 

 

“In light of the exceptional situation created by the kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro Moro, President of the Republic, which constitutes a case of material and temporary impossibility for him to exercise his functions, order that the Executive Vice President of the Republic assume and exercise in an acting capacity all the powers, duties, and functions inherent in the office of President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in order to ensure administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the nation,” Caryslia Rodríguez stated.

 

 

 

The court concluded that extraordinary circumstances and force majeure exist—conditions not explicitly outlined in the Constitution but severe enough to threaten the stability of the state, national security, and the continuity of government.

 

 

 

In response, the Constitutional Chamber adopted what it described as an “urgent and preventive protective measure” to safeguard the functioning of the Venezuelan state.

 

 

 

Shortly after the announcement, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry released a statement formally recognizing Rodriguez as Venezuela’s acting president.

 

 

 

“We recognize Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the interim president of Venezuela, in light of the absence of President Nicolás Maduro, who is currently being held in the United States.”

 

 

 

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during a surprise attack by special US forces on the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

 

 

 

They were reportedly sleeping inside their residence at Caracas’ high-security Ft Tiuna military compound during the pre-dawn raid.

 

 

 

On January 3, 2026, the United States launched an extraordinary military strike against Venezuela in what the Trump administration described as a decisive operation to apprehend Maduro and bring him to American soil.