ISTANBUL

Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice on Saturday ordered Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to “immediately” assume and exercise as acting president, after the US captured President Nicolas Maduro and took him to New York.

According to Ultimas Noticias news outlet, the court ordered Rodriguez to assume the presidency “in strict compliance with the Constitution and Venezuelan laws.”

Tania D’Amelio, president of the court’s Constitutional Chamber, said that the ruling was issued to ensure the “administrative continuity of the state and the defense of the nation.”

The court said that Maduro is in a “material and temporary impossibility” to exercise his duties.

On Saturday, Venezuela’s government accused the US of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states and declared ‌a national ‌emergency.

US President Donald Trump later confirmed the "large-scale" strike, adding that President Nicolas Maduro and his wife had been "captured and flown out of the country."

The attacks came after months of growing US pressure on Maduro, who Washington accuses of being involved in drug trafficking. The Venezuelan leader had denied the claims and expressed readiness for talks.