Trump calls off second wave of attacks on Venezuela
By Abigail Townsend
Date: Friday 09 Jan 2026
(Sharecast News) - Donald Trump has cancelled a second wave of attacks on Venezuela, the US president claimed on Friday, in return for Caracas continuing to cooperate with Washington.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Venezuela's acting government, installed after a US military operation to remove strongman president Nicolas Maduro, was releasing large numbers of political prisoners.
He said the move was "a sign of Seeking Peace", adding: "This is a very important and smart gesture.
"The USA and Venezuela are working well together, especially as it pertains to rebuilding, in a much bigger, better and more modern form, their oil and gas infrastructure.
"Because of this cooperation, I have cancelled the previously expected second Wave of Attacks, which looks like it will not be needed."
However, despite cancelling the apparently planned attacks, Trump warned that all ships would remain in place, "for safety and security".
Trump is due to meet with oil company executives later on Friday. He said in the Truth Social post that "at least 100 Billion Dollars will be invested by BIG OIL" in the South American nation.
However, decades of underfunding and corruption mean that while Venezuela has vast oil reserves, its industry is in severe disrepair. A number of analysts believe it will take years and vast investment before production is fully up and running again.
Under interim president Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela has released a number of political prisoners. Caracas said the decision was unilateral, as it seeks reverse decades of harsh repression. However, in an interview with Fox News, Trump claimed it was Washington who had asked for their release.
"Prisoners nobody ever thought they would ever see again are being released," he said on Thursday night.
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