WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)—United States (US0 President Donald Trump on Tuesday posted a map graphic on his Truth Social platform depicting Venezuela with an inset American flag and the label “51st State.”

The provocative post — published while Trump was en route to China for a high-stakes summit — comes a day after Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, said her country had “never” considered becoming the 51st state, even after US forces captured deposed leader Nicolas Maduro in January.

US President Donald Trump (Photo: AFP)