Venezuela’s Supreme Court announced today the temporary appointment of Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez Gomez as Acting President, granting her all constitutional powers associated with the office. The court described the move as a “precautionary” measure to ensure the continuity of state institutions.
In a ruling issued by its Constitutional Chamber, the Supreme Court stated that this action was taken due to the alleged “forced absence” of President Nicolas Maduro. The court asserted that the current situation constitutes a state of “physical and temporal impossibility” preventing the President from fulfilling his duties.
The decision, according to the court, is based on the interpretation of Articles 234 and 239 of the Venezuelan Constitution. These articles authorize the Vice President to assume the functions of the head of state in cases of temporary absence. The court deemed that current circumstances necessitate the activation of these constitutional provisions to safeguard the constitutional order and the continuity of the state.
The Supreme Court characterized what it described as the “abduction of the constitutional President Nicolas Maduro” as necessitating exceptional measures to confront the threats facing the country and ensure the proper functioning of its constitutional institutions.
In this context, the Supreme Court ordered the immediate notification of the appointed Vice President, the High Military Command, and the National Assembly regarding the content of the decision, citing the “urgent necessity” imposed by the current situation.
The Constitutional Chamber affirmed its exclusive jurisdiction in interpreting the relevant constitutional texts. It clarified that the decision aims to preserve national sovereignty, guarantee the unity of the state, and establish a legal roadmap for managing the country’s affairs until the reasons for the absence cease and the President returns to exercise his constitutional functions. The situation remains fluid, and DZWatch will continue to monitor developments in Venezuela.
