Overview
- President Trump revived talk of making Venezuela the 51st state and posted a Truth Social map showing the country in U.S. colors.
- Acting President Delcy Rodríguez rejected the idea in brief remarks and said Venezuela would defend its sovereignty.
- No formal process exists toward annexation, which under the U.S. Constitution would require congressional approval and Venezuela’s consent.
- The U.S. now recognizes Rodríguez as Venezuela’s sole head of state and has lifted sanctions on her while easing some measures on the country.
- Nicolás Maduro and his wife remain jailed in New York on drug charges after a January capture, a turn that has led Rodríguez’s government to work more closely with Washington.