CARACAS, January 12, 2026 — Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, affirmed her government’s authority today, responding to a digitally altered image posted by former U.S. President Donald Trump claiming he held the position of “interim president of Venezuela” as of January 2026. The incident underscores ongoing tensions and information warfare surrounding the political landscape in the South American nation.
A Digital Dispute Over Sovereignty
The exchange highlights a continued effort to challenge Venezuela’s current leadership through unconventional means.
- Trump published a manipulated image on his Truth Social network depicting himself as Venezuela’s acting president.
- Rodríguez dismissed the post as a “caricature” and reaffirmed Venezuela’s sovereignty.
- Former President Nicolás Maduro remains imprisoned in New York, awaiting trial.
- Trump expressed a desire to visit Venezuela and meet with Rodríguez.
Trump’s fabricated post, shared on his Truth Social platform, referenced a false Wikipedia profile displaying his photograph with the title “acting president of Venezuela.” Rodríguez addressed the situation during a broadcast on Venezolana de Televisión, stating, “From here we ratify and reaffirm the sovereignty and independence of Venezuela. I have seen caricatures there on Wikipedia of whoever rules in Venezuela,” pointedly avoiding direct mention of Trump.
Rodríguez emphasized that Nicolás Maduro is currently being held “hostage,” following his capture on January 3 with his wife, Cilia Flores, during a United States military operation in Caracas. This claim follows reports of the deaths of 32 Cuban military personnel in Venezuela during the operation to apprehend Maduro.
This isn’t the first instance of Trump sharing manipulated images or artificial intelligence (AI) generated videos, often with the apparent intention of sparking controversy. The official Wikipedia page, however, remained unchanged, accurately reflecting Trump’s position as president of the United States.
On Sunday, Trump indicated his intention to visit Venezuela “at some point” and meet with Rodríguez, asserting that the United States “is getting along very well with the leadership” of the country in the wake of Maduro’s capture.
Maduro remains incarcerated in a New York prison, facing trial on charges of narcoterrorism and corruption. He has publicly maintained his innocence, describing himself as a “decent man” and a political prisoner.
