Trump shows off tanker with ‘1m barrels of oil’ and floats Venezuela as 51st state

Donald Trump raised the prospect of Venezuela joining the United States as its 51st state during a campaign event in Texas on Tuesday, pointing to a nearby tanker that he said was transporting a million barrels of Venezuelan crude.

Speaking at a rally in Corpus Christi ahead of next week's midterm elections, the president promoted an energy arrangement reached with Venezuela's transitional leadership. American forces launched an operation in January that resulted in the capture of long-time Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro at his residence in Caracas, after which he was taken to New York on criminal charges.

Addressing the audience from a stage overlooking the coast, Trump praised the agreement as the greatest oil triumph in history. He stated that the pact negotiated with the interim authorities supported by Washington would encompass billions of barrels of fuel and claimed the oil would be supplied without cost to American taxpayers.

During his speech, Trump speculated about the future of the South American nation, suggesting that it might eventually be incorporated into the United States. He remarked that Venezuela could emerge as a thriving territory and perhaps soon enter the union as the 51st state, adding that such an outcome was possible. Venezuela joins several other places Trump has previously discussed absorbing, including Greenland, Canada, and Mexico.

The event in Texas took place as Trump faces historically low approval ratings leading into the midterms. Voters have expressed discontent over broader foreign policy maneuvers, notably an armed conflict with Iran that began in February, alongside extensive tariffs placed on international trade.

The conflict in the Middle East led to the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route handling roughly one-fifth of global crude supplies. The closure triggered a sharp rise in domestic fuel prices, increasing living expenses across the country. Shortly before his appearance, Trump posted online that expanded energy operations stretching from Alaska to Venezuela would soon bring fuel costs down rapidly.

The arrangement has faced criticism from observers who note that Venezuelan authorities have yet to organize fresh elections following Maduro's removal. Critics argue that the administration has placed its energy priorities above establishing a democratic process in the country.