Trump says he's seriously considering making Venezuela the 51st US state
US has already built up massive naval fleets in the Caribbean and continues a deadly bombing campaign on alleged drug boats
www.independent.co.ukHere’s the latest on the Venezuela “51st state” question based on recent reporting.
- Multiple outlets in May 2026 carried remarks from former President Trump suggesting Venezuela could be considered as a potential 51st state, prompting responses from Venezuelan officials and the White House. The Trump statements drew immediate pushback and questions about feasibility and legality.[1][2][3]
- Venezuelan acting president and other Venezuelan officials publicly rejected the notion, asserting Venezuela’s independence and sovereignty and stating they have not considered becoming a U.S. state. These denials were reported by several outlets in May 2026.[8][9][10]
- The broader context includes ongoing political upheaval in Venezuela, with competing leadership claims and international responses; however, there has been no verified plan or timeline from Caracas to become part of the United States, and U.S. officials did not publicly commit to pursuing such a move in any official capacity.[2][9]
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent articles from a specific outlet, or summarize the key statements from Trump and Venezuelan officials with direct quotes. Would you prefer a focused briefing on the statements from a particular source (e.g., Fox News, AP) or a neutral timeline of events?