In a significant political development, Venezuela’s Supreme Court has officially designated Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the nation’s acting president. This judicial directive comes amid heightened political tensions and follows recent military actions by foreign powers in the South American country.
The appointment, reported by multiple media outlets on January 4, 2026, represents a constitutional response to the extraordinary circumstances facing the Venezuelan government. Rodríguez, who previously served as Venezuela’s vice president, now assumes the highest office temporarily through judicial mandate rather than electoral process.
This transition occurs against the backdrop of captured former president Nicolás Maduro, whose detention resulted from recent international military operations targeting Venezuela’s leadership. The Supreme Court’s intervention demonstrates the continuing functioning of Venezuela’s judicial institutions despite external pressures and internal political challenges.
Rodríguez’s ascension to acting president marks a critical juncture in Venezuela’s ongoing political crisis, which has drawn international attention and involved multiple foreign governments. The judicial order provides constitutional continuity while the nation navigates complex geopolitical tensions and domestic uncertainty.
The development follows statements from Rodríguez herself, who previously affirmed Maduro as ‘the only president’ of Venezuela, indicating the complex political calculations underlying this judicial appointment. International observers are closely monitoring how this transition will affect regional stability and diplomatic relations.