Venezuela’s Supreme Court Assigns Delcy Rodríguez the Duties of Acting President

Venezuelan authorities announced on Saturday evening that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the position of Acting President of the country, in light of the absence of President Nicolás Maduro following his arrest during an operation that they said was carried out by U.S. forces.

The Constitutional Chamber of the Venezuelan Supreme Court stated that the decision to appoint Rodríguez to the post comes to ensure the continuity of governance and the comprehensive defense of the nation, noting that the Court will hold sessions to discuss the current situation.

The Court added that it will work to determine the applicable legal framework in a manner that guarantees the continuity of the state, the administration of government, and the defense of national sovereignty in the face of the forced absence of the President of the Republic.

In the same context, U.S. President Donald Trump had announced earlier on Saturday that the United States carried out military strikes on Venezuela overnight and arrested President Nicolás Maduro.

Trump said during a press conference held at the Mar-a-Lago resort in the state of Florida, “We will run the country until the time comes when we can implement a safe, sound, and wise transition.”

No additional details have yet been issued by the Venezuelan side regarding the fate of President Maduro or the nature of the forthcoming measures on the political and constitutional levels.