Trump Suggests Turning Venezuela Into the 51st U.S. State and Delcy Rodríguez Responds

Trump proposes annexing Venezuela

Delcy Rodríguez rejects proposal

Oil fuels political tensions

Donald Trump sparked international controversy once again after claiming he is “seriously considering” turning Venezuela into the 51st state of the United States.

The comment, revealed by John Roberts of Fox News, triggered immediate reactions in both Washington and Caracas.

According to Roberts, the president made the statement during a phone conversation

Just got off the phone with @realDonaldTrump … he told me he is seriously considering a move to make Venezuela the 51st state… pic.twitter.com/cofs12dhUS

— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) May 11, 2026

In a post on X, the television presenter said Trump claimed he is “seriously considering making Venezuela the 51st state of the country,” while also arguing that Venezuelans “love him.”

The new remarks add to a series of recent comments in which Trump has emphasized his influence over Venezuela and the South American country’s economic potential, especially because of its oil reserves.

During the conversation with Fox, the president also insisted: “There are $40 trillion in oil there.” The statement reinforced what he described as Venezuela’s strategic importance to the United States.

Delcy Rodríguez rejects any possibility of annexation

Trump Venezuela 51st state statement – PHOTO: EFE

From The Hague, Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez quickly responded to Trump’s comments and firmly rejected the possibility of annexation.

“That is not contemplated, nor would it ever be contemplated, because if there is one thing Venezuelans have, it is a deep love for our process of independence,” she stated to Venezuelan media outlets.

Rodríguez also defended the country’s political history and highlighted the legacy of those who fought for Venezuelan sovereignty. According to her, Venezuela’s history was built through the “glory of men and women who gave their lives” to ensure the country became “not a colony, but a free nation.”

The interim president also reiterated Caracas’ willingness to maintain cooperation with Washington following the capture of Nicolás Maduro in January, an event that dramatically reshaped bilateral relations between the two governments.

Oil remains central to the relationship between both countries

Trump’s remarks come amid renewed American economic interest in Venezuelan oil.

Since early 2026, Washington and Caracas have resumed diplomatic and energy relations after years of political tension.

Delcy Rodríguez also emphasized that Venezuela possesses one of the world’s largest oil reserves, a factor that has become central to recent negotiations with the United States.

According to an economic projection published by the United Nations at the end of April, Venezuela could surpass $22 billion in oil revenue during 2026.

That figure would represent an increase of more than 50% compared with the $14.713 billion generated last year.

Trump had already boasted previously about his popularity within the South American country.

Last week, he claimed Venezuelans “are dancing in the streets” because of economic benefits linked to oil investments following the restoration of diplomatic ties.

Trump continues provocative rhetoric regarding Venezuela

This is not the first time Trump has made comments of this nature about the Latin American nation. On several occasions, he has even joked about running in future Venezuelan elections, claiming he “would receive more support than anyone else in history.”

The statements also arrive amid a complicated political landscape following Maduro’s capture and Washington’s formal recognition of Delcy Rodríguez as interim president.

Although the idea of turning Venezuela into a U.S. state appears politically and constitutionally unfeasible, Trump’s comments once again intensified debate surrounding American influence in Latin America and the future political direction of the oil-rich nation.

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SOURCE: EFE