U.S. President Donald Trump says he has cancelled a planned “second wave of attacks,” on Venezuela, citing what he calls constructive cooperation between Washington and Caracas.
He says the move follows Venezuela’s release of large numbers of political prisoners and joint efforts to rebuild the country’s oil and gas infrastructure, while U.S. ships remain deployed for security.
Trump announced on Friday on his social media platform that “Because of this cooperation, I have cancelled the previously expected second Wave of Attacks, which looks like it will not be needed,” adding that “all ships will stay in place for safety and security purposes.” He described Venezuela’s release of detainees as “a very important and smart gesture.”
The remarks come days after a dramatic U.S. military operation in Venezuela on January 3,2026 that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as part of a broader campaign the administration has justified on drug-trafficking and regional security grounds.
Maduro and Flores have since pleaded not guilty to charges in a New York federal court and Maduro, in turn, has called himself a “prisoner of war.”
In addition to halting further offensive strikes, Trump has shifted focus toward economic engagement with the oil-rich nation, saying at least $100 billion will be invested by “Big Oil” firms in modernizing Venezuela’s energy infrastructure. He also announced plans to host representatives of major U.S. oil companies at the White House.
Venezuela’s interim government, led by acting authorities following Maduro’s capture, has already freed a significant number of both foreign and Venezuelan prisoners, including several Spanish nationals, which officials said was part of a peace gesture requested by Washington.
The developments have triggered political responses in Washington, where the Senate has moved forward with a War Powers measure aimed at limiting further unilateral U.S. military actions without congressional approval.
