Delcy Rodríguez, the interim head of the Venezuelan government, firmly rejected on Monday the notion proposed by President Donald Trump to annex Venezuela as the 51st state of the United States. Speaking from The Hague, she stated that such an idea "would never be considered."
Rodríguez's statement followed President Trump's comments in which he mentioned he was "seriously" contemplating the annexation of Venezuela. During a phone call with Fox News, Trump cited Venezuela's vast oil reserves, valued at $40 trillion, and claimed, "Venezuela loves Trump."
While representing the Venezuelan regime at the International Court of Justice in a hearing concerning the territorial dispute over the Essequibo region with Guyana, Rodríguez was questioned by a Telesur journalist about Trump's remarks.
"That is not on the table, it will never be on the table, because if there's one thing we Venezuelans cherish, it's our independence and our heroes and heroines of independence," Rodríguez responded emphatically.
Despite her rejection of the annexation idea, she acknowledged that Venezuela and Washington are engaged in a "diplomatic cooperation agenda." She also admitted that Venezuela "has the largest oil reserves in the world and one of the largest gas reserves," emphasizing that "the path is cooperation for mutual understanding between countries."
Background of Geopolitical Tensions
This is not the first time Trump has floated this concept. On March 17, following Venezuela's victory over Italy in the World Baseball Classic semifinals, Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Good things have been happening to Venezuela lately! I wonder what this magic is all about. Statehood, 51st state, anyone?"
The geopolitical context is crucial. On January 3, 2026, Operation Absolute Resolution led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores by the U.S. Army's Delta Force. They were transported to a federal court in New York on narcoterrorism charges.
Since then, Washington has effectively controlled Venezuelan oil exports. On January 7, Trump announced that Venezuela would supply the U.S. with between 30 and 50 million barrels of high-quality oil, with the revenue directly managed by Washington.
The rhetoric of the "51st state" is a recurring theme in Trump's discourse, having previously suggested similar ideas for Canada since November 2024 and Greenland since 2019, citing strategic resources or geopolitical positioning as reasons.
Venezuela boasts the largest proven oil reserves in the world, approximately 303 billion barrels, accounting for 17% of global reserves, primarily located in the Orinoco Belt.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio introduced a three-phase plan for Venezuela in the Senate: stabilization with oil control, economic recovery with a $100 billion investment, and democratic transition with free elections before the end of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Venezuela's Political Landscape
Why did Delcy Rodríguez reject the idea of Venezuela becoming a U.S. state?
Delcy Rodríguez rejected the idea because she emphasized Venezuela's strong sense of independence and pride in their national heroes and heroines.
What are the economic implications of Venezuela's oil reserves?
Venezuela's oil reserves are the largest in the world, valued at $40 trillion, and they play a crucial role in the country's economy and its negotiations with other nations, including the United States.
How has U.S. control impacted Venezuelan oil exports?
Since Operation Absolute Resolution, the U.S. has effectively overseen Venezuelan oil exports, with revenues being directly managed by Washington, impacting Venezuela's economic autonomy.