Former US President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by posting a fake Wikipedia page on his social media platform, declaring himself the “acting President of Venezuela.” The post, shared on Truth Social, depicts Trump as the incumbent of Venezuela since January 2026, following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, seemingly taking a jab at the country’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez.
Maduro’s former vice president, Rodriguez, assumed office last week after US forces apprehended Maduro and his wife on January 3 in Caracas. The couple now faces narco-terrorism charges in New York, with Maduro maintaining his claim as the rightful leader of Venezuela.
The fabricated Wikipedia entry features Trump’s official portrait from when he assumed the US presidency and lists him as both the “acting President of Venezuela” and the President of the United States. The Trump administration has indicated that the US will oversee Venezuela until it stabilizes and can govern itself, with no specified timeline.
Critics suggest that Trump’s interest in Venezuela revolves around its abundant resources, particularly oil. Trump has engaged with oil company executives to potentially control the country’s oil distribution. Despite Venezuela possessing the world’s largest confirmed crude oil reserves, its daily production remains notably lower than the US average.
The White House is framing its involvement in Venezuela in economic terms, with plans to manage Venezuelan oil sales and exert control over global sales indefinitely. Rodriguez, the acting president, has resisted Trump’s pressure, warning of consequences if she does not comply with US demands to align Venezuela with American interests, including granting access to US energy companies.
In response, Rodriguez affirmed her resolve, emphasizing that her destiny is determined by a higher power rather than external threats. The situation remains tense as Venezuela navigates geopolitical tensions and economic challenges amidst external pressures.