President Donald Trump took to social media early Tuesday morning to float the idea of permanently seizing control of Venezuela and officially making it the United States’ 51st state, an idea sparked by the South American nation’s recent victory in the World Baseball Classic international tournament.
“Wow! Venezuela defeated Italy tonight, 4-2, in the WBC (Baseball!) Semifinal,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “They are looking really great. Good things are happening to Venezuela lately! I wonder what this magic is all about? STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE?”
Venezuela’s national baseball team secured its spot in the World Baseball Classic championship game Monday after defeating Italy, earning the South American nation a spot in the championship game against the United States, scheduled to kick off Tuesday night.
The Trump administration launched an unprecedented military operation against Venezuela earlier this year that saw the United States capture its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, kill nearly 50 Venezuelan soldiers, and take control over the nation’s oil trade and revenue.
Immediately following the U.S. operation in Venezuela, Trump announced that the United States would be running the country until it could facilitate a transfer of power to a new government. The president’s social media post on Tuesday is his most explicit call yet for Venezuela to become the United States’ 51st state.