In a dramatic overnight social media post, former US President Donald Trump announced he has cancelled a planned second wave of military action against Venezuela. The move comes after the Venezuelan government began releasing political detainees and amid talks of a colossal investment in the country's oil and gas sector.
A Gesture for Peace and a Deal for Oil
Posting on his Truth Social platform in the early hours of the morning, Trump stated that Venezuela is releasing "large numbers of political prisoners" as a sign of seeking peace. He characterised this as a "very important and smart gesture." The development follows a US raid on Saturday which resulted in the seizure of the country's president, Nicolás Maduro.
Trump's statement outlined significant economic cooperation, noting that the USA and Venezuela are "working well together" to rebuild the nation's oil and gas infrastructure in a "much bigger, better, and more modern form." He claimed this cooperation led directly to his decision to cancel the "previously expected second Wave of Attacks."
The Details of the Deal and Security Posture
The former president asserted that at least $100 billion will be invested by "BIG OIL," with meetings scheduled at the White House today. Despite cancelling the new attacks, which he said "looks like it will not be needed," Trump emphasised that all US military ships "will stay in place for safety and security purposes."
This announcement aligns with earlier reports from Venezuela. The country's congressional president had characterised the release of an "important number" of detainees as a step to "consolidate peace." Among those freed was former opposition candidate Enrique Márquez, who was filmed saying, "It's all over now," upon his release alongside his wife and fellow opposition member Biagio Pilieri.
Implications for US-Venezuela Relations
The sequence of events marks a sharp pivot in a tense geopolitical standoff. The initial raid and capture of Maduro represented a major escalation, while the subsequent prisoner release and Trump's cancellation of further military action suggest a rapid de-escalation driven by diplomatic and economic incentives.
The promised $100 billion investment, if realised, would represent one of the largest foreign investments in Venezuela's crippled energy sector in decades. It underscores the high-stakes interplay between regional security, human rights, and global energy markets. The situation remains fluid, with US naval assets maintaining a visible presence in the region as talks continue.
