Overview
- Trump posted on Truth Social a map showing Venezuela as the 51st state on Tuesday, a day after telling Fox News he was considering the idea seriously.
- Interim leader Delcy Rodríguez rejected any annexation at The Hague on Monday, saying Venezuela would defend its sovereignty and independence.
- News outlets reported that the official White House account on X reposted Trump’s image about 24 hours after Rodríguez’s statement.
- Trump tied the proposal to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, which he and multiple reports valued at about $40 trillion.
- U.S.–Venezuela engagement has deepened since March with talks involving energy and mining firms, and reporting points to rising oil output and new investment discussions.