Caracas, Venezuela – Twice this week, US President Donald Trump He expressed interest in converting Venezuela To the 51st state in his country. The latest came via a Truth Social post on Tuesday with a map showing the South American country dotted with an American flag.
Previous statements questioning Venezuela’s sovereignty over the past 25 years have been met with immediate ridicule from senior government officials, including the president. The ruling party even organized demonstrations in the capital, Caracas, on January 3, hours after then-President Nicolas. Maduro was arrested by the United States.., including “Gringo go home” chants. But this time, the government has been mostly silent, except for a brief statement to reporters on Monday from the acting president Delcy Rodriguez.
This approach illustrates the balance Rodriguez must strike between foreign and domestic policy in the wake of the US military attack in Caracas in January. The Trump administration has since implemented a phased plan to try to turn around the crisis-ravaged country, and forced Rodriguez’s political movement, Chavismo, to abandon the anti-American sentiment that has long accompanied its teachings.
“This is perhaps the most visible and overt manifestation of the government’s deal-based, self-survival-above-all-else approach at the moment, and even above the kind of basic principles of Chavismo,” said Christopher Sabatini, a senior fellow for Latin America at the London-based think tank Chatham House. “They’d better shut up and not insult the United States now. Why are we overreacting to a ridiculous claim by Donald Trump?”
Rodriguez told reporters on Monday that Venezuela had no plans to become the 51st US state, but her comments were much more restrained than previous presidential speeches that mock these kinds of US statements. The move came after Trump said he was “seriously considering” the move. Trump He made similar comments about Canada.
“We will continue to defend our integrity, sovereignty, independence and history,” Rodriguez said. She added that Venezuela “is not a colony, but a free country.”
The Trump administration surprised Venezuelans by choosing to work with Rodriguez, rather than the country’s political opposition, after Maduro’s ouster. Since then, it has led cooperation with and promoted the administration’s interim plan An oil-rich country For international investors and opening the energy sector to private capital and international arbitration. Rodriguez also replaced senior officials, incl Maduro’s loyal defense minister And the Attorney General.
Trump has praised her work, and his administration has lifted economic sanctions imposed on her personally and eased sanctions on the country, although some remain in place. The United States now also recognizes her as the “sole” head of state of Venezuela.
The United States stopped recognizing Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela in 2019, the following year. He declared victory for re-election In a contest widely considered a sham, opposition parties and candidates were banned from participating.
Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, were transferred to New York to face drug trafficking charges after their arrest on January 3. They both have it He pleaded not guilty He remains imprisoned in a detention center in Brooklyn.
In Caracas, some residents on Wednesday saw the government’s response as subservience to Trump, but they also acknowledged that Rodriguez was in no position to unleash characteristic Chavista anti-American propaganda.
University student Adonai Osoria said: “She knows that it is wise not to enter into a direct confrontation because she knows that she will inevitably lose.” “Now, is there anyone who disagrees, who doesn’t like that? Well, yes, of course. But I consider her reaction now to be a common and understandable one.”
Government supporters last demonstrated their inflammatory stance against the United States in the days following Maduro’s arrest, burning American flags and carrying signs reading “Gringo go home.”
Among the government’s strongest supporters across the country are armed groups known as colectivos. These groups are a key component of demonstrations in support of the ruling party. Local leader Jorge Navas called Trump’s comments “irresponsible provocative actions” and praised Rodriguez for her diplomatic response.
Navas said of the current approach adopted by Chavismo in dealing with American pressure: “We are bending strategically, but we will not break.” He added: “We are continuing to resist, that is, realistically, given the economic situation in the country.”
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Garcia Cano reported from Mexico City.
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