The Supreme Court of Venezuela named the head of state

The Supreme Court of Venezuela has ordered the country's vice-president Delcy Rodriguez to temporarily serve as president in connection with the kidnapping of the head of state Nicolas Maduro, according to the decision of the constitutional Chamber, which was read out by its chairman Carislia Beatriz Rodriguez.

"In light of the exceptional situation that has arisen as a result of the kidnapping of Citizen Nicolas Maduro Moro, President of the Republic, which constitutes a case of material and temporary impossibility for him to exercise his functions, ... to order that the Executive Vice-President of the Republic assume and exercise, in the status of acting, all the powers, duties and functions inherent in the office of the President of the Bolivarian Republic Venezuela, in order to ensure the administrative continuity and comprehensive defense of the nation," Rodriguez said on VTV.

According to the ruling, the court came to the conclusion that there were extraordinary circumstances and force majeure not directly provided for by the basic law, but threatening the stability of the state, national security and the continuity of the functioning of the authorities. In this regard, the court adopted an "urgent and preventive measure of protection" to ensure the administrative continuity and defense of the country.

US President Donald Trump said on January 3 that the United States had dealt a massive blow to Venezuela, and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Celia Flores had been captured and taken out of the country. The media reported on the explosions in Caracas and claimed that the operation was carried out by fighters of the elite Delta Force unit. The New York Times, citing a senior Venezuelan official, reported that at least 40 people, including military and civilians, were killed in the attack.