Trump labels Venezuela '51st State' of the US in social media post

Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, rejected the notion, stating her country had "never" considered becoming the 51st state, even after US forces captured deposed leader Nicolas Maduro in January.

"We love our process of independence, we love our heroes of independence, and we will continue defending the integrity, the sovereignty, the independence," Rodriguez told reporters at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Rodriguez has overseen a thawing of relations with Washington since taking over, passing reforms to reopen the mining and oil sectors to foreign companies.

However, she remains firm on sovereignty.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro also condemned the move, calling the idea "completely contrary" to that of Simon Bolivar.

Petro argued that such a change could not happen without the "will of the people of Venezuela."

Este trino oficial de la Casa Blanca es una idea completamente contraria a la de Simón Bolívar.

Esta nueva idea en el gobierno de los EEUU no se puede hacer sin la voluntad del pueblo de Venezuela al que habría que pedirle la traición a su hijo: Simón Bolívar, el fundador de la… https://t.co/MKCBrvo2R1

— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) May 13, 2026

Trump was quoted as saying the US controlled the oil-rich nation following Maduro's capture on 2 January.

While the Venezuelan opposition demanded elections, Rodriguez said on 1 May that she "didn't know" when a new vote would happen, suggesting it would occur "sometime."

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Source: TRT