US President Donald Trump has stated that he is “seriously considering” making Venezuela the 51st state of the United States. According to Fox News correspondent John Roberts, Trump made these remarks during a conversation on Monday. The comments come months after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured in a military operation earlier this year, and an interim administration led by Delcy Rodríguez took power in Caracas.
Trump’s Pattern of Territorial Ambitions
Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of bringing foreign territories under US control, including Greenland, Canada, and Panama. However, his latest remarks about Venezuela have drawn significant attention due to the growing American presence in the South American country following Maduro’s removal. The US has reopened its embassy in Caracas, while direct flights between the two countries resumed last month. US officials have also been holding talks with energy and mining companies as Washington increases its involvement in Venezuela’s oil sector.
Trump’s Comments on Venezuela
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump described US operations in Venezuela as “military genius.” In an interview aired last week, Trump told journalist Sharyl Attkisson, “Venezuela is a very happy country right now. They were miserable. Now they’re happy. It’s being well run.” He added, “The oil that’s coming out is enormous, the biggest in many years. And the big oil companies are going in with the biggest, most beautiful rigs you’ve ever seen.”
US Economic Interests in Venezuela
Trump also emphasized US plans to benefit from Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. “We’re in the oil business,” he said after Maduro’s capture earlier this year, while discussing plans to sell Venezuelan oil internationally. Trump later claimed that American oil firms were preparing to invest $100 billion into rebuilding the country’s oil and gas infrastructure. Despite his comments, Trump cannot legally make Venezuela a US state without approval from Congress and the consent of Venezuela itself.
Reactions and Criticisms
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress in January that the US was not preparing for military action in Venezuela, but Trump has continued to hint at broader ambitions for the country. In March, after Venezuela defeated Italy in the World Baseball Classic, Trump posted online: “STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE?” Rodríguez has not announced a clear timeline for democratic elections in Venezuela, leading to criticism that Washington is focusing more on energy and economic interests than restoring democracy.
Stability Phase and Energy Deals
“We’re in the stability phase,” Trump’s top energy adviser Jarrod Agen told Politico recently. He added, “And that’s really about getting the energy deals flowing and getting funds in there for the everyday activities of Venezuela.”
