What began as an on-air comment in a telephone interview has escalated to an image that is making its way around the world. President Donald Trump shared on his social network Truth Social a map of Venezuela painted with the colors of the U.S. flag and the phrase: “51st State”.
The publication, which was also replicated by the official White House account on X, comes just a day after the president told Fox News that he is “seriously” considering the possibility of incorporating the South American nation into U.S. territory.
Joke or government plan?
Since former President Nicolás Maduro was captured on January 3, Trump has not stopped suggesting that Venezuela’s future is directly linked to Washington.
Although he has joked that “people love him” on Venezuelan soil and that he might even run for president there, the publication of the map has ceased to be funny to many political leaders.
One detail that did not go unnoticed is that the map used by Trump does not include the territory of the Essequibo, the area in dispute with Guyana, adding another layer of controversy to an already explosive panorama.
The answer in Venezuela: “Sovereignty above all”.
🇺🇸🇻🇪 | ATTENTION: Fox News journalist John Roberts assured that President Donald Trump told him that he is “seriously” considering making Venezuela the 51st state of the United States.
“John, I just want to tell you something: I’m very serious about this. I’m… pic.twitter.com/nUztDyBvmt
– World Alert (@AlertaMundoNews) May 11, 2026
The reaction from Caracas was not long in coming.
The president in charge, Delcy Rodríguez, categorically rejected any possibility of annexation, stressing that Venezuela is and will continue to be a sovereign nation.
Even opposition figures, such as María Corina Machado, have agreed that Venezuela’s path must be its own democracy and not become just another star on the U.S. flag.
While the State Department claims that the “stabilization phase” in Venezuela is over after the overthrow of Chavismo, Trump seems to be skipping the “reconstruction and transition” plans to go straight to full integration.
While local forces clamor for free elections, the tycoon insists on his vision of the “51st State”.
What about you Onnda, do you think this is just a distraction strategy by Trump or are we really facing a geopolitical shift that will erase borders as we know them?
Filed under: Venezuela status 51
