In a dramatic turn of events that has captured global attention, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he has called off a planned second wave of military attacks on Venezuela. The decision — he said — came after Caracas began releasing political prisoners, a gesture Washington described as a sign of “seeking peace.”
Speaking via his Truth Social platform, Trump described the move as a significant step toward cooperation between the two nations following an unprecedented series of events that began earlier this month. U.S. forces conducted a high-profile operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were flown to New York to face federal charges.
“Venezuela is releasing large numbers of political prisoners as a sign of ‘Seeking Peace,’” Trump wrote, calling the releases “a very important and smart gesture.” He added that, because of this cooperation, the anticipated follow-on attacks “will not be needed.”
The prisoner releases — the first since the U.S. strike — began late Thursday under the authority of Acting President Delcy Rodríguez. Among those freed were former opposition candidate Enrique Márquez and other political figures, drawing relief and celebration from families in Caracas.
However, Trump stressed that the cancellation of new strikes does not mean an end to U.S. military readiness in the region. U.S. naval vessels will remain on station near Venezuelan waters “for safety and security purposes,” he said, suggesting that the option to re-engage quickly remains on the table if needed.
In addition to praising the prisoner releases, Trump used the announcement to outline a broader strategic vision for U.S.–Venezuelan relations. He said that American and Venezuelan officials were working “well together,” particularly on plans to rebuild and modernize Venezuela’s oil and gas infrastructure, a sector long battered by under-investment. Trump hinted that major U.S. energy companies could invest upwards of $100 billion in the country’s resources, underscoring what his administration sees as shared economic opportunity.
Critics — including international observers and lawmakers in Washington — have questioned both the legality and the ethics of the U.S. military’s intervention in Venezuela, especially given the far-reaching implications for regional stability and Venezuelan sovereignty. Congress recently advanced a War Powers Resolution aimed at limiting the president’s authority to engage in further military operations without legislative approval.
Back in Venezuela, reactions remain mixed. Supporters of the interim government portray the prisoner releases as an important confidence-building step, while opponents warn that underlying political and economic tensions persist. Meanwhile, families of detainees who remain behind bars say there are still hundreds of political prisoners whose freedom has yet to be secured.
As the world watches closely, Trump’s announcement represents both a pause in direct military confrontation and a pivot toward political and economic engagement — nuanced developments that could reshape the future of Venezuelan politics and U.S. foreign policy alike.
source: Punch Newspaper
