Venezuela Won't Be the 51st US State, Acting President Declares

From The Hague on Monday, Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, firmly rejected the notion of her country becoming the 51st state of the United States. "This is absolutely not on the table," Rodriguez said in response to a question, "because if there is something that distinguishes us Venezuelans, it is that we love our path to independence, and we love the heroes and heroines of our independence." Her comments come as US President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted the country is under his control and hinted at the possibility of statehood, according to AFP.

Rodriguez succeeded Nicolas Maduro, who was captured by US special forces during a military operation on January 3. She noted that her government is pursuing a "diplomatic agenda of cooperation" with Washington, following the reactivation of diplomatic relations in March, which Maduro had severed seven years prior.

Dispute at The Hague

Rodriguez's remarks were made while attending a session at the International Court of Justice regarding a dispute over the oil-rich Essequibo region, which is administered by Guyana but claimed by Caracas. On Monday, US media reported that Trump told Fox News he is "seriously" considering making Venezuela the 51st state. In a March post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, "Good things are happening in Venezuela lately. I wonder if there is a magical reason for that? The 51st state?"

Policy Shifts and Prisoner Releases

As Maduro's former vice president, Rodriguez has enacted changes to oil and mining laws, opening the door for private, particularly American, investment. She also issued a pardon that led to the release of hundreds of political prisoners, though around 500 remain incarcerated. She has pledged to reform the judicial system. Trump has repeatedly praised Rodriguez's actions and initiated a gradual path to ease sanctions on the Caribbean nation.