Trump halts planned 'second wave' of Venezuela strikes after prisoner release and cooperation

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump gave the nation an update about America’s next steps in Venezuela. Trump had previously mentioned that the country was prepared to launch another attack, if needed, during a press conference soon after the capture of Nicolas Maduro.

However, in a Truth Social post on Friday, January 9, he retracted the previous statement, noting that there was no longer a need for a second wave of strikes since Venezuela had been cooperating with the US.

Venezuela releases political prisoners

During his latest Truth Social post, President Donald Trump wrote that Venezuela was releasing a large number of political prisoners as a sign of “seeking peace.” He added that it was an important and smart gesture, as he praised the two countries’ synchronization in working well together.

“It pertains to rebuilding, in much bigger, better, and more modern form, their oil and gas infrastructure,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He added that as a result of the above, he had decided to cancel the previously expected second wave of attacks in Venezuela. However, the president mentioned that as a precautionary measure, ships were in place.

Donald Trump also mentioned that Big Oil would invest at least 100 billion and that he would meet with them later the same day. 

While speaking to Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday, Trump had stated that the administration was set to meet with the biggest “oil people in the world.” He added that the top 14 companies were coming to America with the expectation of going in.

“They’re going to rebuild the whole oil infrastructure. They're going to spend at least 100 billion dollars, and it's an unbelievable oil that they have, and an unbelievable quality of oil and amount of oil,” Trump told Fox News.

Maria Corina Machado chimes in on Venezuela’s release of political prisoners

Venezuela's opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, took to social media to react to the release of numerous political prisoners, five days after the US captured Maduro. She wrote that the release was a gesture to show that injustice didn’t last forever.

“And the truth, although wounded, ends up finding its way,” Machado wrote.

Amongst those who were released were former opposition candidates Enrique Marquez, Biagio Pilieri, and Pedro Duran.

Although an exact number of released prisoners is yet to be determined, The Guardian reported that, as per human rights organizations in Venezuela, the country held between 800-1000 prisoners.

Jorge Rodriguez, the brother of Delcy Rodriguez, called the move a “unilateral gesture” to reaffirm Venezuela's decision to consolidate peace in the republic and peaceful coexistence among all.

Before the announcement, it was estimated that there had been 40 foreign nationals detained in Venezuela, including 20 Spanish nationals and five US citizens.