Venezuela in May 2026: the most important developments in politics
In May 2026 the main political story on Venezuela was its relationship with the United States. On 11 May President Donald Trump said he was seriously considering making Venezuela the 51st US state, citing its oil reserves, which he valued at $40 trillion. On 13 May he called for the release of Venezuelan political prisoners and posted a graphic depicting the country as the 51st state. On 17 May Venezuela deported Alex Saab, a close ally of Nicolas Maduro, to the United States to face money laundering charges. On 20 May the US was reported to be pursuing a second criminal investigation into Maduro, and political prisoners held for more than 20 years were freed. Direct commercial flights between the two countries resumed on 1 May for the first time since 2019, and a former Florida congressman was convicted of secretly lobbying for the Venezuelan government.
Inside Venezuela, a prison director was dismissed on 26 May following allegations of mistreatment by inmates, and the government announced a reorganisation. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez was set to visit India for talks on oil supply and energy ties. Analyses said the US was finding it difficult to repeat its Venezuela strategy in Cuba.
Abroad, the United Nations pursued a resolution of the border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela, and Venezuela told the UN court that negotiation over the Essequibo region is essential. In Spain, former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero faces a multi-year investigation linked to Venezuela and China, in which intercepted Signal chats and five tons of gold allegedly point to a money laundering plot.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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