U.S. President Donald Trump is “seriously considering” turning Venezuela – with its estimated $40 trillion in oil reserves – into a permanent part of the United States. The country’s acting president has already said it will never happen. Trump’s response, in effect: Venezuela loves me.
The disclosure follows the January U.S. military operation that captured deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on narco-terrorism charges. Trump told reporters Washington would “manage” Venezuela during its transitional period, working with acting president Delcy Rodriguez – the same Rodriguez who has now explicitly rejected the annexation plan.
“That would never have been considered, because if there is one thing we Venezuelan men and women have, it is that we love our independence process.”
– Acting President Delcy Rodriguez
The oil math
Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves – an estimated $40 trillion at today’s prices. After Hugo Chavez nationalized the industry nearly two decades ago, U.S. majors Exxon and ConocoPhillips were pushed out. Chevron held on through a special licence. The expulsion shaped Washington’s posture toward Caracas for a generation.
Since January, that posture has reversed. White House energy advisors and cabinet officials have held multiple meetings with U.S. oil executives, encouraging investment in Venezuelan production. Output reached over 1 million barrels per day in April – the highest level since 2018.
“As the President has said, relations between Venezuela and the United States have been extraordinary. Oil is starting to flow, and large amounts of money, unseen for many years, will soon be helping the great people of Venezuela.”
– White House spokesperson
A growing wish list
Venezuela joins a lengthening list of territories Trump has publicly expressed interest in folding into the United States – including Greenland, Canada, Cuba, and Panama. Each one offers something specific: Arctic shipping lanes, fresh water, sugar quotas, the canal. Venezuela offers the largest hydrocarbon prize on the planet.
The obstacles, on paper
Statehood requires two things: Congressional approval, and the consent of the territory being absorbed. The acting government in Caracas has rejected the idea publicly. There has been no Congressional bill. The White House has declined to spell out what the plan would actually look like.
Trump’s defense, when pressed, is that the people will sort it out:
“Venezuela loves Trump.”
– Donald Trump
Whatever Caracas’s official answer is, the trajectory is clear. A foreign president was captured by U.S. forces. A successor government was installed. U.S. oil companies are being walked back in. And Washington is now, openly, talking about the country as the 51st state.
Source: Fox News
