Trump Cancels ‘Second Wave’ of Attacks on Venezuela

US President Donald Trump has announced the cancellation of a planned follow-up military operation against Venezuela, stating that cooperation between Washington and Caracas has improved, particularly in efforts to restore the country’s energy sector.

The decision follows a US special forces operation carried out last weekend in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, during which President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were taken into US custody.

After the operation, Trump publicly demanded unrestricted access to Venezuela’s oil resources and said the United States would temporarily oversee the country until a new political transition was completed. The move drew strong criticism from Russia as well as several members of BRICS and other Global South nations, who condemned the US action.

In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump said the anticipated second phase of military action had been called off, though US naval assets would remain in the region as a precaution.

He also announced that major US oil companies plan to invest at least $100 billion in Venezuela, adding that representatives of leading American energy firms were scheduled to meet him at the White House later in the week.

Trump welcomed Venezuela’s recent release of political detainees, describing the move as constructive. The Venezuelan government confirmed that several prominent prisoners had been freed as part of what it called an effort to promote national reconciliation.

Those released include former presidential candidate Enrique Marquez and former lawmaker Biagio Pilieri, both previously held at the El Helicoide detention center in Caracas.

Spain later confirmed that five of its citizens were among those released. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said they had departed Venezuela on a flight back to Spain.