Trump 'seriously considering' plan to make Venezuela and its $40 trillion in oil permanent part of USA

Trump said in a phone call with Fox News that he is motivated by the estimated $40 trillion value of oil in Venezuela, adding that he is popular with the country's citizens.

"Venezuela loves Trump," Trump said.

In January, Trump pledged to have the U.S. oil industry "up and and running" again in Venezuela. Major energy companies like Exxon and Conoco were expelled from the country nearly 20 years ago when former President Hugo Chavez nationalized the oil industry, leaving Chevron as the only U.S. major oil company with investments in Venezuela.

With the Trump administration now managing Venezuela's oil sector, exports in April reached more than 1 million barrels per day, the highest level since 2018.

"As the President has said, relations between Venezuela and the United States have been extraordinary. Oil is starting to flow, and large amounts of money, unseen for many years, will soon be helping the great people of Venezuela," a White House spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Only President Trump can be credited for the revitalization of this newfound partnership - and the best is yet to come!"

The spokesperson did not provide details about what Trump's plan to make Venezuela a part of the United States would look like.

"Good things are happening to Venezuela lately! I wonder what this magic is all about? STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE?" Trump posted.

For Trump to annex Venezuela and make it a state, it would require congressional approval and consent from Venezuela, which Rodriguez said would never happen.

"That would never have been considered, because if there is one thing we Venezuelan men and women have, it is that we love our independence process, we love our heroes and heroines of independence," Rodriguez told reporters on Monday when asked about Trump's eyes on Venezuela.