Constitutional requirements for admitting new states demand majority approval in both houses of Congress plus presidential signature, alongside explicit consent from the prospective territory's population and government. Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodríguez has repeatedly rejected the notion, stressing national sovereignty and independence following the January 2026 capture of Nicolás Maduro. Recent U.S.-Venezuela engagement centers on oil sector access, sanctions adjustments, counternarcotics cooperation, and economic stabilization rather than territorial integration. Trader consensus at 97.6% against reflects these structural barriers and absence of any legislative momentum. Remote scenarios that could shift probabilities include a fundamental reversal in Venezuelan leadership priorities or an unprecedented congressional push, though neither appears under active consideration.