Who will be next Venezuelan President and will US hold elections or install a new head of state?
Who will be next Venezuelan President and will US hold elections or install a new head of state depends on political control, military loyalty, and US decisions. Donald Trump said Maduro had been captured during a US operation. He also claimed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez had been sworn in as president. The Venezuelan government has not confirmed this claim.
Under Venezuela’s constitution, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez is next in line to succeed the president. She called for national unity and rejected foreign interference. She also spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Russia later said reports that she was in Moscow were false. Rodriguez appeared on state media asking for proof of life of Maduro and his wife.
Trump said on Fox News that Venezuela has a vice president who would normally succeed Maduro. He also said the US would not take chances after the operation. He added that Washington would be very involved in deciding Venezuela’s leadership.
Focus on Delcy Rodriguez and constitutional succession
Who will be next Venezuelan President and will US hold elections or install a new head of state has brought attention to Delcy Rodriguez. She has served as vice president since 2018. She is a lawyer and former foreign minister. Her role places her as the first constitutional successor.
Earlier, Venezuelan officials floated a plan where Maduro would step down and Delcy Rodriguez would complete his term until 2031 without running again. The White House rejected the plan, citing questions over Maduro’s legitimacy.
Opposition claims and Maria Corina Machado’s position
Who will be next Venezuelan President and will US hold elections or install a new head of state is also tied to the opposition. Maria Corina Machado said the candidate she backed, Edmundo Gonzalez, should immediately assume power. She asked the armed forces to support him. Gonzalez remains in exile in Spain.Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. She said Maduro’s capture marked a new phase for Venezuela. She called for the release of political prisoners and restoration of order. Trump later dismissed the idea of Machado leading the country, saying she lacked support inside Venezuela.
Military and ruling party figures in contention
Who will be next Venezuelan President and will US hold elections or install a new head of state also involves senior ministers. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez appeared in a video hours after unrest began. He urged calm and backed emergency measures. He has supported Maduro during past crises. The US has offered a reward for information leading to his capture.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello also addressed the nation. He questioned international responses to the US action. Cabello controls key security and intelligence structures. The United Nations has linked these agencies to crimes against humanity.
US role, international reaction, and next steps
Who will be next Venezuelan President and will US hold elections or install a new head of state now depends on US engagement. Trump said the US will run Venezuela until a safe transition occurs. He said US oil companies would enter Venezuela and invest in infrastructure. The oil embargo remains in place.
Russia and China condemned the US action. European leaders expressed concern and called for restraint. Some US lawmakers said the operation violated international law.
Analysts said Trump must decide whether to accept a transition led by Delcy Rodriguez or insist on an opposition-led government. Trump said he was not ready to commit but promised strong US involvement.
For now, Venezuela remains without a confirmed leader. The question of who will be next Venezuelan President and will US hold elections or install a new head of state remains unresolved.
FAQs
Q1: Who will be next Venezuelan President and will US hold elections or install a new head of state?
There is no confirmed successor. Delcy Rodriguez is the constitutional choice, but the US may influence leadership or push for a transition without immediate elections.
Q2: Can Delcy Rodriguez legally become president after Maduro’s capture?
Under Venezuela’s constitution, the vice president is next in line. Delcy Rodriguez can assume power, but no official confirmation of her swearing-in has been issued.