Trump’s Talk Of 51st U.S. State Met With Near-Silence In Venezuela

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Twice this week, US President Donald Trump expressed interest in returning Venezuelan It entered the 51st state of its country. The latest came on Tuesday via a Truth Social post featuring a map showing the South American country filled with the US flag.

Previous statements casting doubt on Venezuela’s sovereignty over the past 25 years were met with immediate ridicule by senior government officials, including the president. The ruling party even organized demonstrations in the capital Caracas as recently as January 3, hours after then-President Nicolás. Maduro fell into the hands of the USA., including “Gringo go home” chants. But this time the government has remained mostly silent, apart from a brief statement from the Acting President to reporters on Monday. Delcy Rodriguez.

This approach demonstrates the balance Rodríguez must strike between foreign and domestic policy following the US military offensive in Caracas in January. The Trump administration has since implemented a phased plan to turn around the crisis-ravaged country, forcing Rodríguez’s political movement, Chavismo, to abandon the anti-US sentiment that has long accompanied its teachings.

“This is probably the clearest and most stark manifestation of the government’s transactional, self-survival approach right now that is above everything else, even above such core tenets of Chavismo,” said Christopher Sabatini, senior fellow on Latin America at the London-based Chatham House think tank. “It’s better for them to hold their tongues right now rather than anger the United States. Why overreact to Donald Trump’s ridiculous claim?”

Rodríguez told reporters Monday that Venezuela has no plans to become the 51st U.S. state, but his comments were much more reserved than past presidential speeches that have mocked such U.S. statements. They came after Trump said he was “seriously considering” the move. Embers He made similar comments about Canada.

“We will continue to defend our integrity, our sovereignty, our independence, our history,” Rodríguez said. He added that Venezuela is “a free country, not a colony.”

The Trump administration stunned Venezuelans by choosing to work with Rodríguez over the country’s political opposition following Maduro’s ouster. He has since led the way in collaborating with the administration’s phased plan and submitted his proposal. oil rich country opening up to international investors and opening up the energy sector to private capital and international arbitration. Rodríguez also replaced top officials. Maduro’s loyal defense minister and the attorney general.

Trump praised his work, and his administration lifted economic sanctions imposed on him personally and eased sanctions against the country, although some remain in effect. The United States now also recognizes him as the “only” president of Venezuela.

The United States stopped recognizing Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela a year later in 2019. declared re-election victory A contest widely thought to be fraudulent because opposition parties and candidates were banned from participating.

After Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured on January 3, they were taken to New York to be tried on drug trafficking charges. There are both did not admit his guilt and remain detained in a detention center in Brooklyn.

Some residents in Caracas saw the government’s response on Wednesday as bowing to Trump, but they also acknowledged that Rodríguez was in no position to unleash Chavismo’s characteristic anti-US propaganda.

“He knows it’s smart not to engage in direct confrontation because he knows he’ll lose,” said college student Adonai Osoria. “So, are there people who disagree with that, who don’t like that? Yes, of course. But I think his reaction right now is a common, understandable reaction.”

Government supporters last demonstrated their provocative stance against the United States by burning US flags and holding signs saying “Gringo go home” in the days after Maduro’s capture.

Among the government’s strongest supporters across the country are armed groups known as colectivos. The groups form the basis of pro-government party demonstrations. Local leader Jorge Navas called Trump’s comments “irresponsible acts of provocation” and praised Rodríguez for his diplomatic response.

“Strategically, we bend, but we will not break,” Navas said of Chavismo’s current approach to U.S. pressure. “Realistically, given the economic situation of the country, we continue to resist.”

Garcia Cano reported from Mexico City.