Trump Floats Venezuela as 51st US State During Texas Rally, Touts Oil Deal

Trump Floats Venezuela as 51st US State During Texas Rally, Touts Oil Deal

US President Donald Trump has suggested Venezuela could become America’s 51st state, drawing attention to his administration’s oil agreement with the South American country.

Trump made the remark during a campaign rally in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Tuesday, while showcasing a tanker he claimed carried one million barrels of Venezuelan oil.

The president praised the agreement with Venezuela’s interim government, describing it as a major victory for American energy interests following the US military operation that removed Nicolás Maduro.

Trump claimed the arrangement could provide billions of barrels of oil, predicting that Venezuela would become prosperous and potentially join the United States as another state.

He also suggested that the agreement would help lower American fuel prices, which have increased since the conflict involving Iran disrupted international oil supplies.

Addressing supporters, Trump described the arrangement as a historic oil victory, claiming the petroleum supplied to the United States would cost American taxpayers nothing.

The president later used his Truth Social platform to promote his energy policies, arguing that production and supplies stretching from Alaska to Venezuela could strengthen America’s position globally.

However, Trump’s comments come amid criticism of his administration’s handling of Venezuela following Maduro’s removal. Critics argue that Washington has prioritised access to oil over restoring democratic governance.

Venezuela has not held elections since Maduro was detained by US forces during a January raid on his residence in Caracas and transferred to New York to face criminal charges.

The oil agreement has therefore raised questions about the country’s political future, particularly whether the interim government will oversee a transition towards democratic elections.

Trump’s remarks also arrive ahead of America’s midterm elections, as his administration faces growing scrutiny over foreign policy decisions, tariffs and the rising cost of living.

Opinion polls cited in the report indicate that the president’s approval ratings have fallen amid concerns over his approach to international conflicts and economic pressures affecting American households.

Fuel prices have risen sharply since Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted a major route responsible for transporting approximately 20 per cent of global oil supplies.

Trump has argued that increased Venezuelan oil supplies could help ease the pressure on American consumers, although the agreement’s wider economic and political consequences remain uncertain.