The Constitutional Chamber of Venezuela's Supreme Court ordered on Saturday that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assume the role of acting president of the country in the absence of Nicolás Maduro, who was detained early Saturday morning in an operation by US forces.
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."
Rodriguez places partial blame on Israel for Maduro capture
Earlier on Saturday, Rodriguez implicated Israel in the capture of Maduro.
"The governments of the world are shocked that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is the victim and target of an attack of this nature, which undoubtedly has Zionist undertones," Rodriguez said in a Saturday address in which she convened a National Defense Council. "It's truly shameful."
The White House's official social media shared footage of Maduro being walked through the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) building in New York City.
The post contained the caption "Perp walked."
The US State Department's travel advisory issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning to Venezuela due to the "severe risks to Americans."
Michael Starr and Mathilda Heller contributed to this report.