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CARACAS, Venezuela — <\/span>Twice this week, U.S. President Donald Trump<\/a> has expressed interest in turning Venezuela<\/a> into his country\u2019s 51st state. The latest came via a Truth Social post Tuesday with a map showing the South American country filled with the U.S. flag.<\/p>\n Previous statements doubting Venezuela\u2019s sovereignty over the past 25 years have been met with immediate derision from senior government officials, including the president. The ruling party even organized demonstrations in the capital, Caracas, as recently as Jan. 3, hours after then-President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro was captured by the U.S<\/a>., that included chants of \u201cGringo go home.\u201d<\/a> This time around, however, the government has mostly kept quiet, save for a brief statement to reporters Monday from acting President Delcy Rodr\u00edguez<\/a>.<\/p>\n The approach demonstrates the balance Rodr\u00edguez must strike between external and internal politics following the January U.S. military attack in Caracas. The Trump administration has since implemented a phased plan to try to turn around the crisis-wrecked country and has forced Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s political movement, Chavismo, to abandon the anti-U.S. sentiment that long accompanied its teachings.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is probably the most public and sharp manifestation of the government\u2019s transactional, self-survival approach above everything else right now, above even that sort of basic tenet of Chavismo,\u201d said Christopher Sabatini, senior fellow for Latin America at the London-based Chatham House think tank. \u201cIt\u2019s better that they hold their tongue, not offend the U.S. right now. Why overreact to a ridiculous claim by Donald Trump?\u201d<\/p>\n Rodr\u00edguez on Monday told journalists that Venezuela had no plans to become the 51st U.S. state, but her comments were much more reserved than past presidential addresses deriding these types of U.S remarks. They came after Trump said he was \u201cseriously considering\u201d the move. Trump has made similar comments about Canada<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will continue to defend our integrity, our sovereignty, our independence, our history,\u201d Rodr\u00edguez said. Venezuela, she added, is \u201cnot a colony, but a free country.\u201d<\/p>\n The Trump administration stunned Venezuelans by choosing to work with Rodr\u00edguez, instead of the country\u2019s political opposition, following Maduro’s ouster. She has since led cooperation with the administration\u2019s phased plan, pitching her oil-rich nation<\/a> to international investors and opening its energy sector to private capital and international arbitration. Rodr\u00edguez has also replaced senior officials, including Maduro\u2019s faithful defense minister<\/a> and attorney general.<\/p>\n Trump has praised her work, and his administration has lifted economic sanctions against her personally and eased sanctions against the country, though some still remain in place. The U.S. now also recognizes her as the \u201csole\u201d head of state of Venezuela.<\/p>\n The U.S. stopped recognizing Maduro as Venezuela\u2019s legitimate leader in 2019, the year after he claimed reelection victory<\/a> in a contest widely considered a sham as opposition parties and candidates were barred from participating.<\/p>\n Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges after their Jan. 3 capture. Both have pleaded not guilty<\/a> and remain jailed at a Brooklyn detention center.<\/p>\n In Caracas, some residents on Wednesday viewed the government\u2019s response as submitting to Trump, but they also acknowledged that Rodr\u00edguez is not in a position to unleash Chavismo\u2019s characteristic anti-U.S. propaganda.<\/p>\n \u201cShe knows that it\u2019s wise not to engage in direct confrontation because she knows she\u2019s bound to lose,\u201d college student Adonai Osoria said. \u201cNow, are there some who disagree, who don\u2019t like it? Well, yes, of course. But I consider her reaction right now to be a common, understandable reaction.\u201d<\/p>\n Government supporters last showed their inflammatory attitude against the U.S. in the days after Maduro was captured, burning U.S. flags and carrying signs that read \u201cGringo go home.\u201d<\/p>\n Among the government\u2019s strongest supporters across the country are the armed groups known as colectivos. The groups are a staple of pro-ruling party demonstrations. Local leader Jorge Navas characterized Trump\u2019s comments as \u201cirresponsible acts of provocation\u201d and praised Rodr\u00edguez for her diplomatic response.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are bending, strategically, but we will not break,\u201d Navas said of Chavismo\u2019s current approach to U.S. pressure. \u201cWe continue to resist, that is, realistically, given the country\u2019s economic situation.\u201d<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Garcia Cano reported from Mexico City.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Follow AP\u2019s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/latin-america<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n