Trump considers Venezuela the 51st country, citing $40 trillion in oil wealth
Venezuela resumes trade relations with the US
Fox News reporter Steve Harrigan reports live from Caracas, discussing the reopening of Venezuela’s economy and the renewal of commercial relations with the US This includes an increase in oil exports, reaching a seven-year high of 1.23 million barrels per day. The move follows the US impeachment of Nicolas Maduro, with American Airlines resuming direct flights to Miami. Experts examine the political and economic implications in both countries.
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President Donald Trump is eyeing oil-rich Venezuela as a potential 51st region as officials continue to lure oil companies to invest in the South American country following the US intervention that ousted President Nicolas Maduro from power.
Trump said in the call he had with Fox News that he is encouraged by the value of oil estimated at $40 trillion in Venezuela, adding that he is loved by the citizens of this country.
“Venezuela loves Trump,” Trump said.
After US military officials arrested Maduro in January, and the Justice Department indicted him on terrorism charges, Trump said the United States would “manage” the country during its transition and work with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.
US SHAP OF MADURO SHINES IN VENEZUELA’S BIG OIL FIELDS
President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 31, 2025, announcing that Venezuela will transfer millions of barrels of oil to the US. (Al Drago/Bloomberg)
In January, Trump promised to get the US oil industry “up and running” again in Venezuela. Energy giants like Exxon and Conoco were driven out of the country nearly 20 years ago when former President Hugo Chavez nationalized the oil industry, leaving Chevron as the only major US oil company to invest in Venezuela.
For months now, cabinet officials and White House energy advisers have been holding meetings with top oil executives from major companies, urging them to invest in Venezuela.
With the Trump administration now in control of Venezuela’s oil sector, exports in April reached more than 1 million barrels per day, the highest level since 2018.
“As the President has said, the relationship between Venezuela and the United States has been extraordinary. The oil is beginning to flow, and large sums of money, unseen for many years, will soon help the great people of Venezuela,” a White House spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “Only President Trump can be credited with renewing this new relationship – and the best is yet to come!”
The spokesman did not provide details about what Trump’s plan to make Venezuela part of the United States would look like.
Trump’s interest in Venezuelan oil has been known since Maduro’s ouster. He pointed out that obtaining Venezuelan oil will help stabilize the country’s economy, which he considers important for the establishment of a stable democracy.
VENEZUELA’S TRUMP HIT THE LETTERS OF THE CONSTITUTION AS MADE BY MADURO
Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez raises her hand after saying goodbye to US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright after their meeting at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas on Feb. 11, 2026. (Ariana Cubillos/AP)
But in March Trump wrote on Truth Social suggesting that Venezuela would become a country.
“Good things are happening in Venezuela lately! I wonder what this magic is about? STATEHOOD, #51, ANYANE?” Trump sent.
In order for Trump to annex Venezuela and make it a country, it would require congressional approval and approval from Venezuela, which Rodriguez said would not happen.
Chevron representative Mariano Vela signs an agreement to expand oil operations in Venezuela as acting President Delcy Rodriguez looks on at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on April 13, 2026. (Ariana Cubillos/AP)
“That would be unthinkable, because if there is one thing that we men and women of Venezuela have, that we love our independence process, we love our heroes and heroines of freedom,” Rodriguez told reporters on Monday when asked about Trump’s eyes on Venezuela.
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Venezuela is the latest country Trump has threatened to add to a list that includes Greenland, Canada, Cuba and Panama.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and the State Department for further comment.
