Venezuela’s Supreme Court has ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to temporarily assume presidential responsibilities, a day after an extraordinary US military operation in Caracas resulted in the detention of President Nicolas Maduro.

In its directive, the court’s Constitutional Chamber said the decision was taken to ensure uninterrupted governance and protect national security amid what it termed the “forced absence” of the elected president. The judges said further legal deliberations would follow to establish a framework for maintaining state authority, government administration and national sovereignty during the crisis.

Rodríguez, 56, is one of the most powerful figures within Venezuela’s ruling establishment. A close confidante of Maduro, she has previously overseen key portfolios including finance and energy, playing a central role during years marked by economic sanctions, hyperinflation and international isolation. Known for her uncompromising defence of the government, Maduro had once publicly praised her combative political style. She comes from a prominent leftist political family in Caracas, being the daughter of veteran socialist leader Jorge Antonio Rodríguez.

Meanwhile, US officials have confirmed that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained during a surprise overnight operation at a secure military facility. According to Washington, the couple was first transferred to a US naval vessel and later flown to New York, where they face federal charges linked to alleged narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.

Footage and eyewitness accounts described Maduro being escorted by American law enforcement upon arrival in the New York region on Saturday afternoon. He is expected to remain in federal custody at a detention centre in Brooklyn as legal proceedings move forward.

US President Donald Trump said Washington would assist in overseeing Venezuela during the interim period, though no concrete administrative arrangements have been announced. Describing the operation as a major success, Trump said the United States would remain involved until a “secure and orderly transition” is achieved, adding that the action was intended as a warning against threats to American interests.