Donald Trump presents himself as the ‘acting president’ of Venezuela

US President Donald Trump has once again become the center of discussion in international politics. This time, he has shared a photo on social media presenting himself as the ‘acting president’ of Venezuela, which has sparked intense debate, curiosity and political speculation around the world.

On Monday (January 12), Trump posted a digital photo on his own social media platform, Truth Social. The photo shows Donald Trump’s name mentioned as the acting president of Venezuela. Apparently, it is an edited or modified part of the online free encyclopedia Wikipedia, where he is shown as the ‘acting president’ of Venezuela since January 2026. Immediately after the photo was published, a wide discussion started on social media.

The digital photo also highlights Trump’s political identity. It mentions him as the 45th and 47th president of the United States and it is also written that he last took office on January 20, 2025. Although many saw it as a political joke, analysts say it carries a clear political message.

When this picture was released, relations between Venezuela and the United States were extremely tense. The recent arrest and deportation of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores to the United States following a US military operation sparked widespread international outrage. The incident has sparked renewed tensions in Latin American and global politics.

After Maduro was removed, Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice swore in Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as interim president in accordance with the country's constitutional process. However, the United States has not recognized this process, according to various diplomatic sources.

Meanwhile, the US Department of Justice has announced that Nicolas Maduro is being tried in US federal court on multiple serious crimes, including drug trafficking. Venezuela-US relations have become more complicated over this trial.

Earlier, after the military operation, Trump announced that Venezuela would be temporarily placed under US control. At that time, he said that the United States would carry out the administrative responsibilities of the country until a safe, orderly, and responsible transfer of power was completed. Many are viewing Trump's recent post as a continuation of that statement.

Overall, this photo shared by Trump as the "acting president" of Venezuela has raised new tensions and questions in international politics. According to analysts, this move could deepen and complicate the Venezuelan crisis, which could also have an impact on global politics in the coming days.