Venezuela's Vice-President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodríguez addresses the media in Caracas, Venezuela, March 10, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria)

The court ruling said that Rodríguez would assume "the office of President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in order to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the Nation."

The ruling added that the court will debate the matter in order to "determine the applicable legal framework to guarantee the continuity of the State, the administration of government, and the defense of sovereignty in the face of the forced absence of the President of the Republic."

Rodríguez on Thursday condemned the US’s action, saying, “This regime change would also allow for the seizure of our energy, mineral and natural resources.”