U.S. Cancels Second Military Strike on Venezuela after Prisoner Releases

U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington has canceled a previously planned second wave of military strikes on Venezuela, citing cooperation from Caracas, including the release of political prisoners and engagement on oil and gas infrastructure.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the two countries were “working very well together” and confirmed that further attacks would not proceed, while adding that U.S. naval assets would remain in place “for safety and security purposes.” He described the release of detainees as a sign of “Seeking Peace” and said cooperation with Caracas had reduced the need for additional military action.

Trump said Washington and Caracas were coordinating on rebuilding Venezuela’s oil and gas infrastructure and claimed that at least $100 billion would be invested by major oil companies, adding that he was scheduled to meet industry executives at the White House.

Venezuela’s National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodríguez confirmed the release of a significant number of detainees, describing the move as unilateral and aimed at strengthening peace and national harmony. Spain’s foreign minister later said five Spanish nationals had been released and were returning home.

The decision follows a U.S. military operation launched overnight on January 3, when explosions were reported in Caracas. Trump said U.S. forces carried out airstrikes and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were taken to the United States and are being held in Brooklyn. Maduro has described his detention as a kidnapping and said he is a “prisoner of war.”

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Iván Gil Pinto said the operation caused civilian and military casualties and accused Washington of seeking control over Venezuela’s oil and mineral resources.

Tensions had already escalated after U.S. forces began destroying vessels in the Caribbean accused of drug trafficking and after Trump labeled Venezuela’s leadership a terrorist organization in December.

A New York court has held its first hearing in Maduro’s case. He faces charges including narcoterrorism conspiracy, cocaine trafficking, and weapons offenses, carrying potential life sentences. He has pleaded not guilty, with the next hearing scheduled for March 17.

Russia expressed concern over the incident, calling Maduro’s detention an attack on state sovereignty and urging Washington to release him and his wife.

Since Maduro’s removal, Trump has focused on Venezuela’s energy sector. Venezuela, a founding member of OPEC, holds about 303 billion barrels of crude oil, roughly 17% of global reserves, but produces less than 1% of global output. Trump said Venezuela would supply up to 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S., with proceeds controlled by Washington.