Contested Claims: Venezuela's Stand on US Statehood and Essequibo Dispute

In a firm statement, Venezuela's acting President, Delcy Rodríguez, dismissed US President Donald Trump's remarks about considering Venezuela as the 51st US state. Speaking at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Rodríguez emphasized Venezuela's commitment to its independence and sovereignty.

The statement followed a heightened dispute over the Essequibo region between Venezuela and Guyana. Rodríguez told the court that negotiations, not judicial rulings, should resolve the century-old territorial controversy. The Essequibo territory is rich in oil and other resources, amplifying the dispute's significance.

As Rodríguez defended her country's historical claim, she accused Guyana of undermining a 1966 agreement meant for negotiation by taking the matter to court. The International Court of Justice is deliberating the case, with potential legal ramifications for South America's energy landscape.

(With inputs from agencies.)