President Donald Trump joked that Venezuela could become the "51st state" of the United States after the Venezuelan national team defeated Italy 4–2 in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic, advancing to face the United States in the final.
"Wow! Venezuela defeated Italy tonight, 4–2, in the WBC (Baseball!) Semifinal. They are looking really great. Good things are happening to Venezuela lately! I wonder what this magic is all about? STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE?" Trump wrote Monday on his social media platform Truth Social.
Trump's comment echoes earlier remarks in which he has floated the idea of expanding the United States to include additional territories. In January, the president shared AI-generated images on Truth Social depicting Canada, Greenland and Venezuela as part of U.S. territory. The posts came amid tensions with European allies over Trump's renewed interest in acquiring Greenland.
The president also referenced potential expansion during a February dinner at the Alfalfa Club in Washington, where he joked that the United States could grow to 53 states. "I never intended Greenland to become the 51st state. I want Canada to be the 51st state, Greenland the 52nd, and Venezuela could be the 53rd," Trump said at the event.
The latest remark about Venezuela comes as relations between Washington and Caracas undergo a significant shift following the January capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces during an operation ordered by Trump.
Since then, former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed power as interim leader. Earlier this month, the U.S. State Department formally notified a federal court in New York that the United States recognizes Rodríguez as the country's head of state.
In a letter to prosecutors handling the case against Maduro, a State Department official said the recognition is intended to support efforts to stabilize Venezuela and facilitate a political transition. Maduro remains in custody in New York awaiting trial on charges including narcoterrorism and drug trafficking, which he denies.
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