Venezuela Ignores Talk of 51st US State05/14 06:20

   

   CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Twice this week, U.S. President Donald Trump has 
expressed interest in turning Venezuela into his country's 51st state. The 
latest came via a Truth Social post Tuesday with a map showing the South 
American country filled with the U.S. flag.

   Previous statements doubting Venezuela's sovereignty over the past 25 years 
have been met with immediate derision from senior government officials, 
including the president. The ruling party even organized demonstrations in the 
capital, Caracas, as recently as Jan. 3, hours after then-President Nicols 
Maduro was captured by the U.S., that included chants of "Gringo go home." This 
time around, however, the government has mostly kept quiet, save for a brief 
statement to reporters Monday from acting President Delcy Rodrguez.

   The approach demonstrates the balance Rodrguez must strike between external 
and internal politics following the January U.S. military attack in Caracas. 
The Trump administration has since implemented a phased plan to try to turn 
around the crisis-wrecked country and has forced Rodrguez's political 
movement, Chavismo, to abandon the anti-U.S. sentiment that long accompanied 
its teachings.

   "This is probably the most public and sharp manifestation of the 
government's transactional, self-survival approach above everything else right 
now, above even that sort of basic tenet of Chavismo," said Christopher 
Sabatini, senior fellow for Latin America at the London-based Chatham House 
think tank. "It's better that they hold their tongue, not offend the U.S. right 
now. Why overreact to a ridiculous claim by Donald Trump?"

   Rodrguez on Monday told journalists that Venezuela had no plans to become 
the 51st U.S. state, but her comments were much more reserved than past 
presidential addresses deriding these types of U.S remarks. They came after 
Trump said he was "seriously considering" the move. Trump has made similar 
comments about Canada.

   "We will continue to defend our integrity, our sovereignty, our 
independence, our history," Rodrguez said. Venezuela, she added, is "not a 
colony, but a free country."

   The Trump administration stunned Venezuelans by choosing to work with 
Rodrguez, instead of the country's political opposition, following Maduro's 
ouster. She has since led cooperation with the administration's phased plan, 
pitching her oil-rich nation to international investors and opening its energy 
sector to private capital and international arbitration. Rodrguez has also 
replaced senior officials, including Maduro's faithful defense minister and 
attorney general.

   Trump has praised her work, and his administration has lifted economic 
sanctions against her personally and eased sanctions against the country, 
though some still remain in place. The U.S. now also recognizes her as the 
"sole" head of state of Venezuela.

   The U.S. stopped recognizing Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate leader in 
2019, the year after he claimed reelection victory in a contest widely 
considered a sham as opposition parties and candidates were barred from 
participating.

   Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken to New York to face drug 
trafficking charges after their Jan. 3 capture. Both have pleaded not guilty 
and remain jailed at a Brooklyn detention center.

   In Caracas, some residents on Wednesday viewed the government's response as 
submitting to Trump, but they also acknowledged that Rodrguez is not in a 
position to unleash Chavismo's characteristic anti-U.S. propaganda.

   "She knows that it's wise not to engage in direct confrontation because she 
knows she's bound to lose," college student Adonai Osoria said. "Now, are there 
some who disagree, who don't like it? Well, yes, of course. But I consider her 
reaction right now to be a common, understandable reaction."

   Government supporters last showed their inflammatory attitude against the 
U.S. in the days after Maduro was captured, burning U.S. flags and carrying 
signs that read "Gringo go home."

   Among the government's strongest supporters across the country are the armed 
groups known as colectivos. The groups are a staple of pro-ruling party 
demonstrations. Local leader Jorge Navas characterized Trump's comments as 
"irresponsible acts of provocation" and praised Rodrguez for her diplomatic 
response.

   "We are bending, strategically, but we will not break," Navas said of 
Chavismo's current approach to U.S. pressure. "We continue to resist, that is, 
realistically, given the country's economic situation."