Venezuelans worried about democracy as Trump calls himself 'Acting President of Venezuela'

The Venezuelan military is unlikely to take on that of the United States. That's the view of Raul Stolk, Director of the Caracas Chronicles website, who says the extraction of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on 3 January proved how ill-equipped the army is to deal with the US.

Stolk, who lives in Miami, Florida, told 702's Clement Manyathela the situation remains fluid. "In the beginning, it was more focused on security on the ground. We had some Venezuelan journalists who were arrested during the week and then released.

"Then, everything was focused on what was going on with the oil industry and Trump taking over.

"The last couple of days have been more focused on the release of political prisoners."

Stolk says it was announced a couple of days ago. "They said it was a unilateral gesture for the peace of the country. But we know that it's something that the Trump administration required."

"That was a very interesting day. Obviously, a lot of people are very happy because in Venezuela, there are close to 1,000 political prisoners. We were expecting during the first days to see at least 400 released, but up to this day, only around 18 have been released.

"So there's a lot of talk on what could be going on. On one side, some people think it has to do with delays with the process, that some judges have to be reached and papers have to be signed. Others believe it's a delay caused by the interior minister, who's kind of in charge of the police. He's believed to be sabotaging our relationship with the United States by delaying this release."

Is the Venezuelan government taking instructions from the US?

"It's very clear that at least on what pertains to oil, they have been complying with everything that the US has been requesting."

Stolk says that because the Venezuelan people didn't see any of the profits from the country's oil because of corruption, "they are not too concerned" about this aspect.

However, he says they are concerned about democracy and self-determination.

He says many would have preferred that Edmundo González, the leader of the opposition party who won the election that was stolen by Maduro in 2024, be sworn in as president. But instead, Trump is working with the remains of the regime. Maduro' vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, was sworn in as interim president.

Meanwhile, Trump referred to himself as 'acting president of Venezuela' in an image of a mock-up of a Wikipedia page on his Truth Social account on Monday morning.

Stolk says the truth is either the regime plays ball or the US is going to go in again.