U.S. constitutional requirements and Venezuela's status as a sovereign nation drive the overwhelming trader consensus against statehood by the end of 2026. Article IV of the Constitution requires congressional approval plus consent from the territory itself, a process that has never applied to an independent country. Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez has explicitly rejected the idea, emphasizing national sovereignty and independence following the earlier U.S. military action against Nicolás Maduro. No referendum, bilateral treaty, or legislative steps have advanced the proposal despite occasional public comments from U.S. officials. Late developments such as a congressional vote, formal Venezuelan request, or major diplomatic shift before the December 31 resolution date remain theoretically possible but face steep procedural and political barriers.