US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News that he is “seriously considering” the idea of turning Venezuela into the 51st state of the United States.
Referring to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, Trump said the country possesses enormous energy resources and added: “Venezuela loves Trump.”
The US president had previously made similar remarks regarding territorial expansion, including discussions about the possible incorporation of Canada and Greenland into the United States.
Trump also referred to the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on January 3 and his transfer to the United States, where he faces charges related to narcotics trafficking and weapons offenses.
Under US law, admitting a new state would require a referendum in the territory involved as well as approval by the US Congress.
Trump’s latest comments triggered widespread reactions across political and media circles, reviving debates about US foreign policy and the possibility of an increasingly expansionist tone in his administration’s rhetoric.
Analysts say the idea of annexing Venezuela currently appears more political and symbolic than realistic, but the remarks could still intensify tensions across Latin America, particularly given Washington’s historically complicated relationships with several governments in the region.
Experts also note that Trump’s framing of Venezuela in terms of energy wealth highlights the growing role of resource geopolitics in contemporary strategic discourse, where control over energy infrastructure and influence remains central to global power competition.
