Venezuela's Acting President Defends Sovereignty Against US Statehood Proposal

May 12, 2026

68 min

May 12, 2026 01:30

Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez defends country's territory, rejects Trump's 51st state remarks

## Venezuela's Stance on Sovereignty

Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, has firmly rejected the notion of the country becoming the 51st state of the United States. This response came after former US President Donald Trump mentioned he was considering such a move. Rodríguez emphasized Venezuela's commitment to maintaining its sovereignty and independence.

## Territorial Dispute at the UN Court

Rodríguez made her statements at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, where Venezuela is involved in a territorial dispute with Guyana over the Essequibo region. This area is rich in natural resources, including oil and minerals. Venezuela claims historical rights to the territory, while Guyana seeks to uphold an 1899 arbitration ruling that favored its claim.

## Historical Context and Recent Developments

The Essequibo dispute dates back to colonial times, with Venezuela arguing that a 1966 agreement should allow for negotiations rather than judicial intervention. The situation intensified after a significant oil discovery off the Essequibo coast in 2015. Venezuela's previous leader, Nicolás Maduro, had threatened to annex the region, further escalating tensions.

## Current Legal Proceedings

The court is expected to take months to reach a decision on the case. Venezuela has participated in the hearings but does not recognize the court's jurisdiction over the matter. Rodríguez accused Guyana of undermining the 1966 agreement by seeking a judicial resolution instead of continuing negotiations.

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