WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has suggested a dramatic expansion of American territory, stating he is "seriously considering" making Venezuela the 51st state of the U.S..
This proposal comes nearly five months after U.S. forces captured former leader Nicolás Maduro, leading to an ongoing American administrative presence in the country.
Speaking on Monday, the President indicated that the move is being weighed as the U.S. continues to manage Venezuela's vast oil infrastructure.
He previously asserted that the U.S. would oversee the nation until a "safe, proper and judicious transition" is possible.
"A Free Country": Venezuela Defends Sovereignty
The response from Caracas was immediate. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, speaking from the International Court of Justice in The Hague, firmly dismissed the idea of annexation.
Sovereignty: Rodríguez emphasized that Venezuela is a free nation and not a colony of any foreign power.
Integrity: She vowed that her administration would continue to protect the country's independent history and territorial integrity.
Patterns of Expansion
This is not the first time the Trump administration has signaled interest in acquiring new territory during its second term:
Greenland: In late 2025, the President cited national security and the presence of foreign vessels as reasons to acquire the island.
Canada: Following trade disputes in November 2025, Trump suggested Canada give up its sovereignty to join the U.S., even referring to its Prime Minister as a "governor".
The Legal Reality
Under Article IV of the U.S. Constitution, the President does not have the unilateral power to create a new state. Admitting a new state requires the explicit approval of the U.S. Congress. Furthermore, constitutional experts note that such a move would typically require the consent of the people living in the territory concerned.
As U.S. energy companies begin to restart the flow of Venezuelan oil, the geopolitical future of the nation remains a point of intense friction between Washington and the acting government in Caracas.
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