U.S. constitutional requirements under Article IV, which mandate congressional approval and typically territorial consent for new states, represent the central barrier driving the 97.7% "No" consensus on this market. Venezuela remains a sovereign nation with no annexation treaty, referendum, or legislative process underway. Recent developments, including President Trump's May 2026 comments suggesting consideration due to oil resources and interim President Delcy Rodríguez's immediate rejection emphasizing independence and sovereignty, produced diplomatic pushback without advancing any formal steps. Ongoing U.S.-Venezuela talks focus on political transition, sanctions relief, and post-earthquake stabilization rather than statehood. While late-breaking shifts such as a Venezuelan initiative for union or extraordinary congressional action remain theoretically possible, they face insurmountable domestic, international, and procedural hurdles.