THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) — Venezuela has “never” contemplated becoming the 51st United States (US) state, as suggested by US President Donald Trump following the capture of deposed leader Nicolas Maduro, the country’s acting president said on Monday.

“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,” Delcy Rodriguez told reporters as she left a hearing at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Since the United States captured Maduro on January 3, Trump has boasted of controlling the oil-rich Caribbean country, and reportedly told Fox News on Monday that he was “seriously” considering making Venezuela the 51st state.