Trump Posts Map of Venezuela as 'State 51', Prompting Rejection from Caracas

Former US President Donald Trump sparked diplomatic controversy by posting an image on Truth Social depicting a map of Venezuela overlaid with the American flag and labeled 'State 51.' This action followed earlier remarks where he suggested seriously considering the incorporation of Venezuela into the United States. The post was amplified by the official White House account on X, signaling institutional backing rather than a mere joke. In response, Delcy Rodríguez, identified in the report as Venezuela's interim president, firmly rejected the notion from The Hague. She emphasized that annexation is not planned and highlighted Venezuelans' commitment to their independence process. Despite the provocative nature of Trump's statement, Rodríguez maintained a measured diplomatic tone, reiterating Caracas's agenda for cooperation with Washington and underscoring Venezuela's strategic value due to its vast oil and natural gas reserves. The incident occurs against a backdrop of political transition in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, with Trump advocating for statehood while both the Venezuelan government and opposition leaders, including María Corina Machado, assert the nation's sovereignty. The map used notably excluded the disputed Essequibo territory.