By Donald Kimberly l May 12, 2026
The Venezuelan government has strongly rejected comments by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that Venezuela could become the “51st state” of the United States, declaring that the South American nation would continue defending its sovereignty and independence against foreign influence.
Venezuela’s acting President, Delcy Rodríguez, made the remarks while addressing journalists at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, where hearings were underway regarding the long-running territorial dispute between Venezuela and neighboring Guyana over the oil-rich Essequibo region.
“We will continue to defend our integrity, our sovereignty, our independence, our history,” Rodríguez said, insisting that Venezuela “is not a colony, but a free country.
The controversy erupted after President Donald Trump reportedly stated during an interview that he was “seriously considering making Venezuela the 51st U.S. state.” The comments followed Venezuela’s recent success during the 2026 World Baseball Classic and ongoing political developments in the country after the dramatic removal of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.
Trump’s remarks quickly generated international reactions, with critics describing the suggestion as provocative and incompatible with international norms respecting national sovereignty. Venezuelan officials accused Washington of undermining the country’s independence while emphasizing that Venezuela would never surrender its territorial integrity.
The comments also came amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and Guyana over the disputed Essequibo territory, a mineral- and oil-rich region that has remained a source of diplomatic conflict for decades. Venezuela argues that the 1899 arbitration ruling that granted control of the territory to Guyana was invalid, while Guyana insists the ruling remains legally binding.
Rodríguez accused Guyana of abandoning diplomatic negotiations by taking the dispute to the International Court of Justice, arguing that the 1966 Geneva Agreement should remain the primary mechanism for resolving the territorial disagreement through dialogue rather than judicial intervention.
The court case has attracted global attention because of the massive offshore oil discoveries near the disputed region, where production has rapidly transformed Guyana into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers. Analysts say the dispute has become increasingly sensitive as global energy interests in the region continue to expand.
Meanwhile, the political situation inside Venezuela remains highly volatile following the January 2026 U.S.-backed operation that led to Maduro’s capture and removal from power. The intervention sparked widespread international debate, with some governments supporting the move while others condemned it as a violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty.
Despite tensions between Washington and Caracas, Rodríguez acknowledged that communication channels between Venezuelan and U.S. officials remain open, saying both sides are discussing areas of “cooperation and understanding.
Political observers believe Trump’s latest comments may further complicate already fragile diplomatic relations across Latin America, where many governments remain wary of perceived American interventionism in the region.