Supreme Court of Venezuela names VP as Acting President following Maduro’s detention
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has been appointed acting president of Venezuela by the country’s highest court after Maduro was taken into custody by US soldiers.
Following President Nicolás Maduro’s arrest in an early-morning operation by US forces, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was named acting president by Venezuela’s Supreme Court.
The Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court ruled on Saturday that Rodríguez will take over as president in order to maintain governance and safeguard national interests while Maduro is away. The action was required to “guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the Nation,” according to the court.
The detention of Maduro in the early hours of Saturday has garnered international attention and increased political tension in the South American nation.
The court further declared that it would meet to discuss the legal ramifications of the president’s absence and decide on the proper constitutional framework to maintain state operations. In light of what it called the “forced absence” of the elected president, the ruling states that the goal is to protect Venezuela’s sovereignty, the continuity of government, and the management of state activities.
As the situation’s political and legal repercussions are evaluated, Rodríguez, a former foreign minister and close supporter of Maduro, is anticipated to supervise government activities.
