Delcy Rodriguez said Venezuela would “never” become part of the United States after President Donald Trump floated the idea of making the country the 51st state.
Trump reportedly said he was “seriously considering” turning Venezuela into the 51st U.S. state during a phone call with Fox News anchor John Roberts, citing the country’s massive oil reserves as a key reason behind the proposal.
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The remarks come months after former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro was removed from power. Rodriguez, Maduro’s former vice president, has led the country since then while pursuing limited economic and diplomatic reforms amid pressure from Washington.
Trump allegedly claimed Venezuela has roughly $40 trillion worth of oil and added that “Venezuela loves Trump.”
Rodriguez rejected the idea, telling reporters that Venezuela would “never” consider statehood because Venezuelans “love our independence process” and remain committed to defending the country’s sovereignty.
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Under the Constitution, Congress must approve the admission of any new state. Trump has previously floated annexing other territories, including Canada and Greenland.
Relations between the U.S. and Venezuela have improved in the months following Maduro’s deposition, with flights between the countries resuming and diplomatic contacts increasing after years of strained ties.
