Venezuela's Interim President Delcy Rodriguez firmly rejected the notion of her country becoming the 51st US state, an idea recently floated by Donald Trump. "We have never considered that possibility. If there is one thing the Venezuelan people have always cherished, it is the love for our nation's independence process and reverence for its heroes," Rodriguez told reporters outside the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands on 11/5.
Rodriguez's strong statement came a day after Donald Trump told Fox News that he was "seriously considering" making Venezuela the 51st US state. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly declined to comment on Trump's specific plan but stated that the US President "never accepts the status quo." Kelly also praised Interim President Rodriguez for "extremely effective cooperation" with the US.
The Venezuelan leader was in the Netherlands attending a hearing regarding a centuries-long dispute with Guyana over the vast, mineral and oil-rich Essequibo region. This visit marked her first to a non-Caribbean nation since assuming power. "We will continue to defend our country's territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence, and history. Venezuela is not a colony; it is a free nation," she added.
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Interim President Rodriguez at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands on 11/5. *Reuters* |
Trump has repeatedly expressed his intention to control Venezuela, notably since a raid in January to arrest President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. In a Truth Social post in March, he also previously mentioned this possibility, asking, "Good things are happening in Venezuela recently! I wonder where this miracle comes from? 51st state, who agrees?"
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Interim President Rodriguez in Caracas in January. *AP* |
Since becoming Interim President, Rodriguez has overseen the process of improving relations with the US. She has also faced significant pressure to meet President Trump's demands for access to Venezuela's vast fossil fuel resources. Trump has frequently praised Rodriguez for promoting reforms that open Venezuela's mining and oil sectors to foreign companies, particularly US businesses.
In March, Washington and Caracas re-established diplomatic relations, which had been severed seven years ago under President Maduro. Meanwhile, Venezuela's opposition continues to call for elections.
