ICJ Essequibo Hearings Conclude; Rodríguez Rejects Trump's '51st State' Proposal for Venezuela

On May 11, 2026, the International Court of Justice concluded its week-long oral hearings (May 4–11) on the Guyana v. Venezuela Essequibo territorial dispute. Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez delivered Venezuela's closing arguments, again rejecting the court's jurisdiction and warning that 'there is no legal way of recognising a decision resulting from this process, whatever that may be.' Rodríguez stated that Venezuela had 'already decided how the border controversy will be determined' — through political negotiation under the 1966 Geneva Agreement, not judicial ruling. On the same day, Venezuelan officials — including Rodríguez — responded to remarks by US President Donald Trump, who told Fox News he was 'seriously considering' making Venezuela the '51st US state,' citing the country's $40 trillion in oil wealth. Rodríguez flatly rejected the proposal, saying: 'That would never have been considered. 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.' White House spokesperson Anna Kelly declined to comment on Trump's plan but praised Rodríguez for 'working incredibly cooperatively' with the US.