Claims that the United States has captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro have been circulating widely online, alongside a separate controversy involving Donald Trump and a viral social media post.
On January 11, Donald Trump shared an image on his Truth Social account that appeared to show a Wikipedia page listing him as the “Acting President of Venezuela.” The image was designed to closely mimic Wikipedia’s layout, complete with Trump’s official presidential portrait and a summary of his time as the 45th and 47th President of the United States. The post quickly drew attention from both supporters and critics.
However, the image was not authentic. Trump is not listed as Venezuela’s acting president on Wikipedia, nor has any government or international organization recognized him in that role. The post appeared to be satirical, seemingly mocking Venezuela’s interim leadership following recent upheaval in the country.
Earlier this month, Delcy Rodríguez, previously Nicolás Maduro’s second-in-command, was sworn in as interim president after a sudden shift in Venezuela’s leadership. During her address, Rodríguez described the situation as deeply painful, accusing the United States of orchestrating what she called the “kidnapping” of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
According to U.S. officials, Nicolás Maduro was captured by American forces during a military operation in Caracas in January 2026. He was subsequently transferred to New York and placed in federal custody, where he now faces multiple drug-related and narco-terrorism charges. The operation came after months of escalating pressure from Washington, including tighter sanctions and increased military activity aimed at Venezuela’s oil sector.
Maduro has pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan court and maintains that he remains Venezuela’s legitimate president despite his detention. Meanwhile, Trump has issued public warnings to Venezuela’s interim leadership, suggesting that serious consequences could follow if the new government fails to cooperate with U.S. demands. These remarks were reportedly made in comments to The Atlantic.
The U.S. operation has sparked international backlash. Several governments, including China, Russia, Colombia, and Spain, condemned the action as a breach of Venezuela’s sovereignty and a violation of international law. Concerns were also raised at the United Nations, where diplomats questioned the legality of the intervention and warned about the precedent it could set globally.
Online reactions to Trump’s mocked-up Wikipedia post have ranged from criticism to amusement. Some users described him as someone who thrives on controversy, while others viewed the post as a typical political prank. Regardless of intent, the incident has added another layer of controversy to an already volatile international situation involving Venezuela and U.S. foreign policy.
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