A digitally altered image shared by President Donald Trump, in which he is referred to as the “Acting President of Venezuela,” has sparked controversy as the United States faces mounting criticism over its illegal actions in the South American country.
The post surfaced days after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following a military operation that has plunged Venezuela into political uncertainty.
The image was posted on Trump’s Truth Social account and appears to mimic an official Wikipedia page, using his presidential portrait alongside the designation “Acting President of Venezuela.” The altered post also lists JD Vance as the country’s vice president, reinforcing the impression of U.S. political control over Venezuela’s leadership.
In the early hours of January 3, U.S. forces carried out an illegal military operation across Venezuela, including in the capital, where Maduro and Flores were staying before being taken into custody.
The Trump administration has described the operation as part of a broader campaign against drug trafficking and what it terms “narco-terrorism,” though Trump himself has suggested the move was also intended to force regime change.
Since Maduro’s capture, the U.S. has asserted influence over Venezuela’s political trajectory and its oil sector, with Trump openly expressing interest in overseeing the country’s petroleum industry.
Following Maduro’s removal, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president on January 5. While the Trump administration has publicly backed Rodríguez, it has also warned that Venezuela will not hold elections in the near term, stating that the U.S. will effectively oversee the country’s transition until conditions are deemed stable.