United States President Donald Trump has sparked international reactions by stating that he is "seriously considering" making Venezuela the 51st state of the United States. The statement comes months after US forces captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is currently facing drug-related charges in New York.
Trump's Remarks on Venezuela's Oil Reserves
Trump reportedly made the comment during a conversation with Fox News, where he highlighted Venezuela's vast oil reserves, estimated at around $40 trillion. He suggested that relations between Washington and Caracas have improved significantly under his administration, paving the way for closer ties.
Maduro's Arrest and US Military Operation
The controversial statement follows a dramatic US military operation in January 2026, which led to the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. US forces conducted strikes in Venezuela before detaining the former president and flying him to New York, where he faces charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, and drug trafficking.
Delcy Rodríguez Rejects the Idea
Following Maduro's arrest, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed leadership as acting president of Venezuela. Reacting to Trump's comments, she strongly rejected any suggestion of Venezuela becoming part of the United States. Speaking at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Rodríguez insisted that Venezuela would continue defending its independence and sovereignty.
"That would never have been considered," Rodríguez said, emphasizing that Venezuelans value their national identity and independence. She added that Venezuela has no plans to surrender its sovereignty despite growing cooperation between the two countries after Maduro's removal.
International Debate and Historical Context
Trump's statement has generated intense debate internationally, particularly because Venezuela possesses some of the world's largest oil reserves. The development has revived discussions about US influence in Latin America and concerns over sovereignty following the January military intervention.
Trump has previously made similar remarks about other territories, including Canada and Greenland, but his comments on Venezuela are attracting stronger reactions because they come after direct US military involvement in the country.
