Trump Eyes Venezuela as Potential 51st U.S. State

The former president suggests adding Venezuela to the United States, after previously eyeing Canada and Greenland.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 9:20am

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Former President Donald Trump has set his sights on Venezuela as a potential 51st state of the United States, according to a late-night post on his Truth Social platform. Trump has previously expressed interest in adding Canada and Greenland as new states, but his latest social media comments indicate Venezuela may be his latest target for expansion.

Why it matters

Trump's repeated calls to annex other countries as new U.S. states raise concerns about his disregard for national sovereignty and democratic norms. His actions could further strain relations with key allies like Canada, as well as raise tensions with countries like Venezuela that have contentious relationships with the U.S. government.

The details

In his Truth Social post, Trump praised recent developments in Venezuela and suggested "STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE?" just hours after forgetting the name of the acting Venezuelan president he had previously installed through a military raid. Trump has a history of making bold claims about acquiring new territories, including threatening to use force to obtain Greenland from Denmark and demanding a 50% stake in a bridge connecting the U.S. and Canada.

  • On March 17, 2026, Trump posted his comments about Venezuela becoming the 51st U.S. state on Truth Social.
  • In January 2026, Trump directed the U.S. military to forcibly kidnap Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The players

Donald Trump

The 79-year-old former president of the United States who has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring new territories, including Canada, Greenland, and now Venezuela, as potential 51st states.

Nicolás Maduro

The former president of Venezuela who was forcibly kidnapped by the U.S. military on Trump's orders and flown to the U.S. to face drug-trafficking charges.

Delcy Rodríguez

The acting president of Venezuela who has led the country since Trump's military raid on Caracas to remove Maduro.

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What they’re saying

“Good things are happening to Venezuela lately! I wonder what this magic is all about? STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE? President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

“Venezuela, who's been great, by the way, the relationship with Venezuela has been fantastic. The president has done a really good job. We get along with him really well.”

— Donald Trump (News conference)

What’s next

The judge in the case against Nicolás Maduro will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

Trump's repeated calls to annex other countries as new U.S. states demonstrate his disregard for national sovereignty and democratic norms, raising concerns about the potential geopolitical consequences of his actions.