Venezuelan Supreme Court Orders Vice President to Assume Role of Acting President

If President Maduro Is Declared Permanently Unable to Serve,
An Election Must Be Held Within 30 Days

The Supreme Court of Venezuela has ordered Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to assume the role of Acting President.

According to Venezuela’s state news agency AVN and other sources on January 3 (local time), the Supreme Court instructed Vice President Rodriguez to take over and exercise all the powers and duties of the presidency in an acting capacity, in order to ensure administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the nation.

The Supreme Court determined that President Maduro is unable to perform his duties, but did not declare that he is permanently unable to fulfill his role. If such a declaration were made, an election would have to be held within 30 days.

On the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump stated at a press conference that the United States would govern Venezuela until a stable transfer of power to a new government following Maduro’s ouster, and indicated that he understood Vice President Rodriguez had succeeded to the presidency.

At an emergency cabinet meeting, Vice President Rodriguez emphasized, “There is only one president in Venezuela, Maduro,” adding, “President Maduro is our leader and commander-in-chief.”