US cancels planned Venezuela strikes after prisoner releases, Trump says

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday that he has canceled a “previously expected” second wave of attacks on Venezuela after the country began releasing political prisoners, calling the move a sign that the government is “seeking peace.”

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised Venezuela’s acting government and said the two countries are “working well together,” particularly on plans to rebuild the nation’s oil and gas infrastructure. 

Previously, in a Jan. 3 press conference following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro, Trump alluded that more attacks in Venezuela could occur.

“We are ready to stage a second and much larger attack, if we need to do so,” he said. “The first attack was so successful, we probably don’t have to do a second but we’re prepared to do a second wave, a much bigger wave.”

Now, Trump says Venezuela’s cooperation has led him to call off additional military action, though U.S. ships will remain in place “for safety and security purposes.”

The announcement comes not long after Venezuela released a number of imprisoned high-profile opposition figures, activists and journalists — both citizens and foreigners — Thursday in what the government described as a gesture to “seek peace” less than a week after Maduro was captured by U.S. forces to face drug-trafficking charges.

Trump, who has been pressuring Maduro allies now leading the country to fold to his vision for the future of the oil-rich nation, said the releases came at the request of the United States. 

In an interview on Fox News on Thursday night, Trump praised the government of acting President Delcy Rodríguez, saying: “they’ve been great. … Everything we’ve wanted, they’ve given us.”

Jorge Rodríguez, brother of the acting president and head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, said a “significant number” of people would be freed, but as of late Thursday night it was still not clear who or how many people would be released. 

The U.S. government and Venezuela’s opposition have long demanded the widespread release of imprisoned politicians, critics and members of civil society. The Venezuelan government insists it does not hold prisoners for political reasons.

“Consider this a gesture by the Bolivarian (Venezuelan) government, which is broadly intended to seek peace,” he announced.

Trump also said he plans to meet with major oil executives at the White House Friday and claimed that at least $100 billion will be invested in Venezuela’s energy sector.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.