Trump Eyes Venezuela as Potential 51st State After US Ousts Maduro

President Donald Trump is considering oil-rich Venezuela as a potential 51st state. Officials continue to court oil companies for investments in the South American country after a U.S. intervention removed President Nicolas Maduro from power.

Trump discussed the idea in a phone call with Fox News. He cited the estimated $40 trillion value of oil in Venezuela and said he is popular with the country's citizens.

"Venezuela loves Trump," Trump said.

U.S. military officials captured Maduro in January. The Justice Department indicted him on narco-terrorism charges. Trump said the United States would "run" the country during its transitional period and work with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.

In January, Trump pledged to get the U.S. oil industry "up and running" again in Venezuela. Major energy companies like Exxon and Conoco were expelled nearly 20 years ago when former President Hugo Chavez nationalized the oil industry. Chevron remained the only U.S. major oil company with investments there.

Cabinet officials and White House energy advisers have met with top oil executives from major companies for months. They urged investments in Venezuela.

With the Trump administration now managing Venezuela’s oil sector, exports reached more than 1 million barrels per day in April. That marked 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," a White House spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Only President Trump can be credited for the revitalization of this newfound partnership – and the best is yet to come!"

The spokesperson offered no details on Trump's plan to make Venezuela a part of the United States.

Trump's interest in Venezuela’s oil dates to Maduro's ousting. He has argued that securing the oil supplies would stabilize the country’s economy. Trump views that as key to establishing a stable democracy.

In March, Trump posted on Truth Social that Venezuela would become a state instead. "Good things are happening to Venezuela lately! I wonder what this magic is all about? STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE?" he wrote.

Annexing Venezuela as a state would require congressional approval and consent from Venezuela. Rodriguez said that would never happen.

"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, we love our heroes and heroines of independence," Rodriguez told reporters on Monday.

Venezuela is the latest country Trump has suggested annexing. The list includes Greenland, Canada, Cuba and Panama.