Venezuela has entered a new phase of political turmoil after the country’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) ruled that Vice President Delcy Rodriguez will assume the role of interim president following the detention of President Nicolas Maduro. The decision, announced amid heightened domestic unrest, has further intensified tensions both inside the country and in its relations with the United States.

According to a statement issued by the TSJ, Rodríguez will temporarily exercise all powers, duties, and responsibilities of the presidency to ensure administrative continuity and safeguard national sovereignty. The court emphasized that Maduro’s “absence against his will” necessitated an immediate legal framework to maintain state authority, government operations, and national defense.

The ruling follows reports that Maduro was detained during what Venezuelan authorities describe as a U.S.-led operation. The Caracas-based outlet El Nacional reported that the court will continue deliberations to determine the legal scope of governance during Maduro’s enforced absence, signaling that the interim arrangement could evolve depending on developments.

Events escalated dramatically overnight in Caracas, where residents reported explosions and aircraft activity in the early hours. The Venezuelan government accused the United States of carrying out coordinated attacks on both civilian and military targets across several regions of the country. These claims were swiftly followed by statements from Washington that deepened the crisis.

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that a large-scale operation had been conducted against Maduro, stating that the Venezuelan leader and his wife had been taken out of the country. In parallel, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that formal legal complaints had been filed in the United States against Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

The appointment of Rodríguez as interim president is expected to have significant implications for Venezuela’s internal stability and its already strained relationship with Washington. Analysts warn that the combination of military escalation, judicial intervention, and direct U.S. involvement could push the country into an even deeper political and diplomatic crisis.