US President Donald Trump said he is “seriously” considering turning Venezuela into the 51st state of the United States.
Speaking during a phone interview with Fox News, Trump claimed that “Venezuela loves Trump”.
Trump also stated that Venezuela possesses “40 trillion dollars” worth of oil, stressing that the country’s resources hold major strategic importance for the United States.
On 3 January, the US military launched an attack on Venezuela that resulted in deaths and the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were subsequently taken to the United States.
Trump later announced that Washington would oversee Venezuela’s affairs during a transitional period and would send American companies to invest in the country’s oil sector, although no timeline was provided.
In early March, both countries agreed to restore diplomatic relations following talks held between Washington and the government of interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez.
