United States President Donald Trump has said he suspended plans for further military action against Venezuela after the new authorities in the country began releasing political prisoners.
Trump disclosed this on Friday while speaking ahead of a planned meeting with executives of major oil corporations, which he said were prepared to invest no less than 100 billion dollars in Venezuela’s oil sector.
According to the US president, the decision followed what he described as cooperation from Caracas, including the release of detainees held for political reasons.
“Venezuela is releasing large numbers of political prisoners as a sign of seeking peace. Because of this cooperation, I have cancelled the previously expected second wave of attacks,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The comments came days after United States forces carried out a January 3 operation that led to the removal and detention of Venezuela’s leftist leader, Nicolas Maduro, with Vice President Delcy Rodriguez assuming interim leadership.
Venezuela began freeing prisoners on Thursday, including former opposition presidential candidate Enrique Marquez, who contested the disputed 2024 election. Marquez described his release as the end of a difficult chapter in a video shared by local media.
The White House quickly claimed credit for the releases, insisting they were a direct result of US pressure.
Trump also confirmed plans to meet opposition leader Maria Corina Machado next week, despite previously questioning her leadership credentials.
Meanwhile, interim leader Delcy Rodriguez insisted that Venezuela had not surrendered, stating that the country resisted foreign aggression.
Rights group Foro Penal estimates that more than 800 political prisoners remain in Venezuelan custody.
