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Trump's "Acting President of Venezuela" Post Sparks Confusion and Debate

US President Donald Trump ignited speculation with a social media post featuring an image labeling him the "acting president of Venezuela." This followed his remarks about positive relations with Venezuelan leadership and a deal involving 50 million barrels of oil. The development coincides with a new executive order aimed at protecting Venezuelan oil revenue held in US accounts from legal claims. Meanwhile, Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez condemned the US action that led to the capture of the country's former leader.

Key Points: Trump Calls Himself "Acting President of Venezuela" in Cryptic Post

  • Cryptic social media post sparks confusion
  • Executive order protects Venezuelan oil funds
  • US discusses major oil sector investments
  • Tensions over capture of former leader
3 min read

US President Donald Trump now becomes "acting president of Venezuela"

Donald Trump posts image labeling himself "acting president of Venezuela," sparking speculation amid oil deals and executive orders on Venezuelan assets.

"Venezuela is really working out well. We're working along really well with their leadership... - Donald Trump"

Washington DC, January 12

US President Donald J. Trump ignited an online firestorm with a cryptic social media post on Truth Social that has both his supporters and critics scrambling for meaning. The post consisted solely of an image that had 'acting president of Venezuela' written beneath his photo where he has a grim face. There was no additional text, explanation, or context provided, leaving observers to interpret its meaning in vastly different ways.

Earlier in the day, Trump while addressing reporters aboard Air Force One said, "Venezuela is really working out well. We're working along really well with their leadership, and we'll see how it all works out."

Trump also spoke with the interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez saying, "She's been very good. She asked us if we could take 50 million barrels of oil, and I said yes, we can, it is worth $4.2 billion, and it is on its way right now to the United States..."

This development came after the President on Friday (local time) signed an Executive Order declaring a national emergency to protect Venezuelan oil revenue held in US Treasury accounts from legal attachment or judicial seizure, saying the move is aimed at advancing US foreign policy and national security objectives.

According to the White House, the Executive Order blocks any attachment, judgment, lien, execution, garnishment or other judicial process against Venezuelan oil revenues and diluent sales deposited in US Treasury accounts.

These funds, termed "Foreign Government Deposit Funds," are to remain frozen unless specifically authorised under the new order. The order also prohibits any transfer or dealing in the funds and overrides earlier directives that may have regulated or restricted such transfers or dealings.

It states that the oil revenues are the sovereign property of Venezuela, held in US custody for governmental and diplomatic purposes, and cannot be claimed by private parties. Before this, US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) met with top oil and gas executives at the White House to promote major investments in Venezuela's energy sector, and said that "a lot of money is going to be made".

Earlier, on Saturday, Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez stated that the US action that led to the capture of deposed dictator Nicolas Mauro and his wife "will go down in history as a major stain" on relations between Washington and Caracas.

In a speech broadcast on the state channel Venezolana de Television (VTV), Rodriguez reiterated that the Executive Branch "will not cease to condemn the criminal aggression" that culminated in the capture of Maduro, currently detained in New York.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
The arrogance is astounding. Calling himself the "acting president" of another sovereign nation? 🤦‍♀️ This is not how global diplomacy works. It reeks of a colonial mindset. As Indians, we know the value of sovereignty. The US should not interfere so blatantly.
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Rohit P
Forget the drama, look at the deal! 50 million barrels for $4.2 billion? That's cheap oil, bro! If this helps keep global prices down, it's good for India too. Our petrol prices are already too high. Maybe we should also try to make such direct deals.
S
Sarah B
While the method is unorthodox, the outcome seems pragmatic. The executive order protects the funds from private claims, which could prevent a messy legal battle. It's a hard-nosed business approach to foreign policy. Not pretty, but potentially effective.
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Meera T
This is so disrespectful to the people of Venezuela. Their country is not a corporate asset to be managed by a foreign leader for profit. "A lot of money is going to be made" – for whom? Certainly not for ordinary Venezuelans. It feels like economic imperialism.
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Vikram M
The real story is the oil. Global energy markets are in flux. By securing this supply and inviting US companies to invest, Trump is trying to lock in long-term American influence. India needs to diversify its oil sources too, can't rely on the Middle East alone.

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