US strikes Venezuela: Supreme Court orders country's VP Delcy Rodriguez become interim president

Venezuela’s Supreme Court on Saturday granted Vice President Delcy Rodriguez full presidential powers after President Nicolas Maduro was detained earlier in the day during an operation by U.S. forces. The Constitutional Chamber said the decision was taken to prevent a break in governance and to keep the administration running.

In its order, the court said Rodriguez would take over “the office ‌of ‍President of the ‍Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in order to ‌guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the Nation.” It added that judges will continue to review the situation to “determine the applicable legal framework to ‍guarantee the continuity ⁠of ⁠the State, the administration of government, and the defense of sovereignty in the face of the forced absence of the President of the Republic.”

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The ruling came hours after Maduro was removed from office and flown to the United States, leaving uncertainty over leadership in the oil-rich South American nation.

US Role Raises Questions Over Power And Control
The court decision followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who said the United States plans to “run” Venezuela, creating confusion over what that would mean in practice. By the time the Supreme Court acted, Maduro was already an indicted prisoner on a flight to New York.

Rodriguez publicly condemned the US action, calling it “barbaric” and a “kidnapping,” even as Trump said she would work with Washington to “make Venezuela great again.” The White House offered limited details on how the US would be involved in governing a country of about 30 million people.

A US official said Secretary of State Marco Rubio would take the lead role within the administration. There was no immediate plan announced to deploy American troops or administrators in Venezuela. However, Trump said the US would have a “presence in Venezuela as it pertains to oil,” pointing to possible expanded involvement by American energy companies, including Chevron, which continues to operate under sanctions waivers.

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Trump also indicated he was not backing a full regime change. He dismissed opposition leader Maria Corina Machado as not ready to take power and suggested Rodriguez and other Maduro allies were being given another chance. Maduro remains in US custody in Manhattan and was photographed arriving at New York’s Westside Heliport.

Analysts said the US strategy appeared aimed at pressuring Venezuela’s current leadership to comply with American demands. Trump later said US troops would not be needed as long as Rodriguez “does what we want.”

Venezuela has faced years of economic decline, damaged oil infrastructure, hyperinflation, and mass migration. Observers warned that further instability could deepen the crisis. Rodriguez said on Saturday that she wanted Maduro to return but also signaled that Venezuela could maintain “respectful relationships,” suggesting a possible opening for talks with the United States if she secures control.

Trump warned that more US action could follow if cooperation does not take place. He said, “All political and military figures in Venezuela should understand what happened to Maduro can happen to them, and it will happen to them” if they were not “fair” to the Venezuelan people.