Washington, May 13 -- US President Donald Trump's controversial pursuit of a "51st state" has shifted its gaze towards Latin America, with Venezuela emerging as the latest target of his expansionist rhetoric. After previous overtures towards Canada and Greenland sparked international friction, Trump has now intensified pressure on Caracas following the dramatic ousting and capture of longtime leader Nicolas Maduro.

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the region, Trump shared a provocative map of Venezuela on Truth Social, featuring an inset American flag, while en route to a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This digital manoeuvre follows his recent assertion to Fox News that he was seriously "considering maki...