Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodríguez reacted strongly to U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting that he was considering making Venezuela the “51st state” of the United States. Rodríguez stated that Venezuela would continue to defend its independence and sovereignty.
Speaking in The Hague, where she traveled to follow the case regarding the disputed Esequibo region with neighboring Guyana, Rodríguez emphasized Venezuela’s long-standing struggle for independence.
“Such a thing can never be accepted. One of the defining characteristics of Venezuelans is our commitment to our fight for independence and to the heroes of that struggle. We will continue defending our country’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence,” Rodríguez said.
She also noted that diplomatic contacts with the Trump administration were ongoing, adding that Venezuela’s history “has been written through the victories of people who fought to be free, not a colony.”
What Did Trump Say?
In a phone interview with Fox News correspondent John Roberts, Trump said he was “seriously considering” making Venezuela the 51st state of the United States, adding, “Venezuela loves Trump.”
The Trump administration had previously reached agreements with the Caracas government in the oil sector after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was reportedly taken from his residence in Caracas to the United States in January. Trump had also made similar remarks in the past suggesting that Venezuela should become a U.S. state.
The Esequibo Dispute
Rodríguez argued that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has no jurisdiction over the Esequibo dispute and stated that Venezuela would not recognize the court’s rulings.
She claimed that Guyana had unilaterally brought the matter before the court in 2018 and insisted that the only valid mechanism for resolving the issue is the 1966 Geneva Agreement.
The Venezuelan delegation also submitted more than 3,000 pages of colonial-era maps and historical documents to support the country’s claims before the court.
Why Is the Esequibo Region Important?
Esequibo is known as a region rich in natural resources. The territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana dates back to 19th-century border arbitration decisions.
Although the region’s borders were determined in the 1899 arbitration ruling, Venezuela considers that decision invalid. Tensions between the two countries have escalated again in recent years due to the discovery of major oil reserves in the area.