Diplomatic tensions between Washington and Caracas added a new digital chapter this week. President Donald Trump shared an image of Venezuela’s map painted with the colors of the U.S. flag. The post, accompanied only by the phrase “State 51,” appeared this Tuesday on his Truth Social network.
The gesture was not an isolated act, but rather the continuation of a narrative that the president has been pushing. A day earlier, during a phone statement to Fox News, Trump said he was “seriously” considering the possibility of incorporating the South American country into the United States. This type of commentary keeps the region on alert about the White House’s real plans.
The idea of annexation began to gain traction earlier this year. Following the capture of deposed president Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, Trump suggested on several occasions the idea of incorporating Venezuelan territory. The digital message this Tuesday, even replicated by the official White House account, formalizes this provocation in a visual format.
What Details Caught Attention in the Shared Map?
The published image generated controversy not only for its political message, but for its geographic characteristics. The map of Venezuela painted with stripes and stars did not include the Essequibo territory. That region represents a historic Venezuelan sovereignty claim against neighboring Guyana.
The omission of Essequibo is not a minor detail for Venezuelan domestic politics. Currently, that territorial dispute is actively being discussed at the International Court of Justice. By sharing a map that excludes that area, Trump touches a sensitive nerve of Venezuelan nationalism, regardless of ideological positions regarding chavism.
Beyond the map, Trump’s justification for suggesting this annexation drew attention. The U.S. president has claimed that in Venezuela people “love” him. He has even joked about the possibility of running for president of that country, based on supposed massive popularity following Maduro’s overthrow.
How Did the Acting Government in Caracas React?
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