Trump hints nation may grow to be 51st state after they beat USA at baseball
The US President has posted about Venezuela becoming a US state after the country beat Italy 4-2 in the World Baseball Classic semi-final – months after he ordered troops to capture President Maduro
Trump made the outlandish suggestion on Truth Social (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Donald Trump appears to have suggested Venezuela should become the 51st US state, declaring “good things are happening” in the nation.
The US President’s remarks followed Venezuela’s victory over Italy in the World Baseball Classic competition. His comments came after Trump ordered US forces to seize Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro in a dramatic operation back in January.
“Wow#! Venezuela defeated Italy tonight, 4-2, in the WBC (Baseball!) Semi-final,” Trump posted on TruthSocial. “They are looking really great. Good things are happening to Venezuela lately! I wonder what this magic is all about? Statehood #51, anyone?” Since being posted early this morning, the message has garnered more than 8,000 likes.
Washington DC permitted the Maduro regime to remain in power in Venezuela with former deputy president Delcy Rodriguez now serving as leader. No schedule for elections has been established and Trump has boasted about seizing the country’s oil reserves.
It marks the latest audacious proposal by Trump who has made his intentions clear regarding bringing multiple nations and territories under US authority.
In just over a year Trump has advocated for the Danish territory of Greenland, Canada, the Panama Canal and the Gaza Strip to come under Washington’s jurisdiction.
It remains uncertain how seriously Trump is taking any of his 51st state declarations, with his remarks about Canada being interpreted as either wind-up tactics or a genuine threat.
The US President has made evident on numerous occasions he is prepared to use military force to accomplish his objectives, previously declaring Greenland would be secured “one way or another”, reports the Mirror.
Trump also finds himself mired in a rapidly escalating conflict in the Middle East after he joined Israel in striking Iran earlier this month. The decision has been regarded as lacking strategic foresight after Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil transport route, causing prices to soar worldwide.
The US President has demanded European partners assist in maintaining the strait’s accessibility after criticising NATO members, including the UK, for failing to spend sufficiently on defence budgets. In an interview, Trump said NATO allies should feel duty-bound to help.
He told the Financial Times: “Now we’ll see if they help us.” He cautioned of a “very bad future” for the alliance if they failed to come to America’s aid.
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