President Donald Trump said Friday that he has cancelled a planned second “wave of attacks” against Venezuela after what he described as a “smart gesture” by the government in Caracas, which released political detainees in what the president framed as a sign of cooperation and a step toward stability.
Trump’s announcement came nearly a week after a dramatic Delta Force operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a raid that stunned the international community. In the aftermath of Maduro’s arrest, his former vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, was installed as the country’s acting president.
On Friday, Rodríguez confirmed that several political detainees had been released, including former opposition presidential candidate Enrique Márquez and political activist Biagio Pilieri. Rodríguez said the move was intended to “consolidate peace” during a tense transitional moment for the country. Opposition leader María Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, praised the development, calling it an “important day” and saying it demonstrated that “injustice” would not prevail in Venezuela.
Trump highlighted the prisoner releases in an early-morning post on Truth Social, portraying them as a direct result of U.S. pressure and a willingness by Venezuela’s interim leadership to work with Washington. The president said the two countries were “working well together,” particularly when it comes to rebuilding Venezuela’s oil and gas sector, which he described as central to the country’s recovery.
In the post, Trump said that because of this cooperation, he had decided to cancel the previously expected second wave of military strikes. He added that U.S. ships would remain in place for safety and security purposes, making clear that American forces would stay on alert even as additional attacks were put on hold. Trump also touted the economic implications of the shift, claiming that at least $100 billion in investment from major oil companies was expected as part of efforts to rebuild and modernize Venezuela’s energy infrastructure. He said he would be meeting with oil executives at the White House later that day.
While the releases were welcomed by opposition figures, the overall scale remains unclear. Estimates cited in reporting suggest Venezuela holds between 800 and 1,000 political prisoners, many of whom were detained after protests following the 2024 election. That election has been widely disputed by opposition leaders and international observers, who believe it was rigged in Maduro’s favor.
Trump’s claim that he personally held back further strikes comes as political tensions in Washington continue to rise. On Thursday, the Senate advanced a War Powers Resolution aimed at limiting the president’s authority to conduct additional military operations against Venezuela without congressional approval. The measure drew support from several Republicans, reflecting unease among some lawmakers about the scope of executive power following the recent U.S. military action.
Despite the growing debate on Capitol Hill, Trump framed the cancellation of the second wave of attacks as a clear success, arguing that strength combined with pressure produced tangible results. By linking the release of political prisoners to U.S. action and economic engagement, the president signaled that his administration views cooperation, rebuilding, and leverage—not prolonged military escalation—as the next phase of America’s approach to Venezuela.
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