BREAKING NEWS: Venezuela Gets New President 

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

Following the capture and detention of President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela on Saturday by United States forces, the Supreme Court of Venezuela has ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume office as acting president of the country.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the directive was issued on Saturday by the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, which said the decision was taken to ensure continuity of governance amid what it described as the “forced absence” of the president.

According to the ruling, Rodríguez is to take over “the office of President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in order to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defence of the Nation.”

The court added that it would convene further deliberations to determine the appropriate legal framework for managing the situation.

The ruling further stated that, “The court will debate the matter in order to determine the applicable legal framework to guarantee the continuity of the State, the administration of government, and the defence of sovereignty in the face of the forced absence of the President of the Republic.” 

OTN News had earlier reported how Maduro was arrested early Saturday morning during an operation carried out by U.S. forces, an action that has attracted mixed political and diplomatic reactions both within Venezuela and from leaders across the world.

The Supreme Court’s move effectively places Rodríguez in charge of the country’s executive authority pending further legal and political developments.

Meanwhile, reports have it that Maduro has arrived in New York, United States, to stand trial on arms and drug trafficking charges.