U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday posted a graphic on his Truth Social platform showing Venezuela’s map with an American flag and labeling it as the “51st state.” The post, described as provocative, was made while Trump was en route to China for a high-level summit, according to AFP.

A day earlier, Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez said her country had “never” considered becoming the 51st U.S. state, even after former leader Nicolás Maduro was detained by U.S. forces in January. Rodríguez emphasized that Venezuela would not accept U.S. intervention or dominance. Trump had told Fox News on Monday that he was considering turning Venezuela into a new U.S. state and claimed to have established “control” over the oil-rich nation for several months.

Since taking office, Rodríguez has sought to normalize relations with Washington, reopening Venezuela’s mining and oil sectors to foreign investment, particularly from U.S. companies. The country’s opposition has called for elections, but Rodríguez said on May 1 that the timing remains uncertain.