Venezuelans wonder who is in charge as Trump and Maduro's successor contradict each other

U.S. forces captured President Nicolás Maduro and Venezuela's high court ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the interim presidency; conflicting statements from U.S. and Venezuelan officials left many citizens uncertain.

U.S. forces captured President Nicolás Maduro, and many Venezuelans scrambled to understand who was now in charge. Streets were reported largely empty as residents expressed fear and uncertainty. President Donald Trump said the United States would take control of Venezuela and described conversations with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. Rodríguez and state television rejected U.S. claims and denounced the operation. What officials reported: - U.S. officials said U.S. military forces captured President Nicolás Maduro. - Venezuela's high court ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the interim presidency. - President Trump said the U.S. would run Venezuela and said Rodríguez had indicated cooperation; Rodríguez publicly called the operation a violation of international law and state TV did not show any swearing-in. - Venezuelan military and senior government figures issued statements vowing resistance and urged public demonstrations in support of the government. Summary: The immediate effect has been widespread uncertainty and fear among Venezuelans, with reports of people staying indoors and disruptions to daily life. The Venezuelan constitution calls for a new election within a month if a president is absent, but experts are debating whether that rule applies after a foreign military intervention, so the path forward is undetermined at this time.