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Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice on Saturday ordered Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to immediately assume the presidency on an interim basis after US forces captured President Nicolas Maduro and transferred him to New York.
According to the Caracas-based Ultimas Noticias outlet, the court instructed Rodriguez to take office “in strict compliance with the Constitution and Venezuelan laws.”
Tania D’Amelio, president of the court’s Constitutional Chamber, said the decision was taken to guarantee the “administrative continuity of the state and the defense of the nation.”
In its ruling, the court said Maduro is currently in a “material and temporary impossibility” to perform his presidential duties, necessitating the immediate transfer of authority.
Earlier on Saturday, Venezuela’s government accused the United States of launching attacks against both civilian and military installations in several states across the country.
Authorities subsequently declared a national emergency.
US President Donald Trump later confirmed that the United States had carried out a “large-scale” military operation, announcing that Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of Venezuela to New York.
The US operation followed months of escalating pressure on Maduro’s government.
Washington has accused Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking, allegations that the Venezuelan leader has repeatedly denied.
Maduro had previously stated that he was open to talks with the United States despite the growing tensions leading up to the operation.
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