Delcy Rodríguez appointed interim president of Venezuela

KABUL (Pajhwok): Venezuela’s Supreme Court has ordered Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the role of acting president in the absence of Nicolás Maduro, reports Reuters.

The court ruling late on Saturday said that Rodríguez would take on “the office of President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in order to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defence of the nation.”

It added that the court will further deliberate to “determine the legal framework necessary to ensure the continuity of the state, the administration of government, and the defence of sovereignty in the forced absence of the President.”

At least seven explosions were heard early on Saturday in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, accompanied by the sound of low-flying aircraft.

US President Donald Trump claimed that the United States had “captured” President Maduro and his wife and flown them out of the country following what he described as “large-scale” strikes.

He said Washington would run Venezuela “until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” though it remains unclear how the US intends to oversee the country.

Russia, Iran and China condemned the US military action and the detention of the Venezuelan president and his wife, calling it a clear violation of Venezuela’s national sovereignty.

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