On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his decision to halt a planned "second wave of military attacks" on Venezuela, citing "significant gestures" from the new Venezuelan leadership as the reason for this change in strategy.
Trump highlighted the release of political prisoners and an unprecedented beginning of energy cooperation between the two nations as key factors influencing his decision.
The announcement was made via his social media platform, Truth Social, where Trump emphasized the importance of these gestures from the Venezuelan regime, now led by Delcy Rodríguez, who took over after Nicolás Maduro was captured in a U.S. operation in Caracas.
"Venezuela is releasing a substantial number of political prisoners as a demonstration of their 'quest for peace.' This is a very important and smart gesture," Trump stated, describing it as a significant step toward easing bilateral tensions.
Unprecedented Oil Cooperation
In the same message, Trump noted that the U.S. and Venezuela have begun collaborating closely in the energy sector, particularly concerning oil infrastructure.
"The United States and Venezuela are effectively cooperating, especially in the large-scale, better, and more modern reconstruction of their oil and gas infrastructure," he mentioned.
The anticipated investment is massive.
"Major oil companies will invest at least $100 billion," the president disclosed, adding that a meeting is scheduled at the White House with executives from leading industry companies.
The energy summit will gather fourteen global companies, according to sources close to the White House, who are eager to understand the terms of this new strategic relationship with Venezuela.
Military Operation Canceled… with Caution
Trump clarified that due to these diplomatic and energy advancements, the second planned phase of attacks has been postponed.
"I've canceled the previously planned second wave of attacks, which now seems unnecessary," he noted, though emphasizing that this does not signify a complete withdrawal of military pressure.
"All ships will remain in position for security reasons," he stated, indicating that the naval deployment in the Caribbean will continue as a deterrent against any potential incidents.
This balance between diplomatic thawing and military presence shows that Washington remains cautiously assessing the internal Venezuelan situation, despite the apparent shift in the regime's direction.
Closure of Torture Centers and Post-Maduro Future
In another part of his remarks, Trump mentioned that the chavismo regime “had a torture chamber in the heart of Caracas that is now being shut down,” referring to El Helicoide, a notorious detention and torture center documented by international organizations. “It has tortured. But it has tortured people,” he stressed.
This statement follows the capture of Nicolás Maduro, which took place five days earlier during a military operation that marked a turning point in the Venezuelan crisis.
His arrest, announced by Trump last week, has been supported by opposition sectors and part of the international community, although human rights organizations insist that the democratic transition should be accompanied by justice and reconciliation.
The gesture was confirmed by Venezuelan authorities. The president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, announced that "the Bolivarian government, alongside state institutions, has decided to release a significant number of Venezuelan and foreign individuals," describing it as an act for national peace.
Since Thursday, reports of releases have emerged, including the freeing of at least five Spanish citizens, according to international media.
The organization Foro Penal has estimated that 863 people have been imprisoned or persecuted for political reasons in Venezuela, with its director, Alfredo Romero, calling for a general amnesty, emphasizing it should not entail impunity for crimes against humanity.
Opposition and Civil Society Reactions
From within Venezuela, the Democratic Unitary Platform, the main opposition coalition, deemed the release of prisoners as progress but demanded further immediate actions. In a statement, they demanded:
"The release of ALL political prisoners, the cessation of repression, and the disarmament of irregular groups threatening citizen coexistence are urgent and immediate actions."
Activists like Alfredo Romero emphasized the need for an amnesty without impunity.
"A general amnesty for the freedom of political prisoners would be an important gesture at present to unify the Venezuelan population, obviously without guaranteeing impunity for crimes against humanity," wrote the director of Foro Penal on his account on X.
An Unexpected Shift in Trump's Foreign Policy
This shift in Trump's Venezuelan policy—previously characterized by a stance of maximum pressure and sanctions—has been interpreted by analysts as a strategic maneuver in an election year, combining tangible results (Maduro’s capture, energy cooperation, prisoner releases) with a firm rhetoric on security.
The potential for Venezuela to become a new energy partner for Washington, amid international contexts marked by oil volatility and geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, has also been seen as a pragmatic calculation.
With the second wave of attacks canceled but military presence intact, the situation between Venezuela and the United States enters a new phase of contained uncertainty, marked by a delicate balance between diplomacy, economic interest, and military pressure.
The coming weeks, with the meeting with major oil companies and the progress of the release process, will be crucial to determine whether this temporary truce evolves into a real and sustainable transformation of the relationship between the two countries.
Key Questions about U.S.-Venezuela Relations
Why did Trump cancel the planned military attacks on Venezuela?
Trump canceled the planned military attacks due to significant diplomatic gestures from the new Venezuelan leadership, such as the release of political prisoners and the initiation of unprecedented energy cooperation between the U.S. and Venezuela.
What is the nature of the energy cooperation between the U.S. and Venezuela?
The U.S. and Venezuela have started collaborating closely in the energy sector, particularly focusing on the reconstruction and modernization of Venezuela's oil and gas infrastructure, with major oil companies planning to invest significantly.
What are the implications of Maduro's capture for Venezuela?
The capture of Nicolás Maduro marked a turning point in the Venezuelan crisis, supported by opposition sectors and some international communities. It has initiated discussions on democratic transition, justice, and reconciliation in Venezuela.