Attack Plan Dropped
Washington
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he has called off a previously expected second wave of military attacks on Venezuela, citing cooperation from the South American nation in recent days. Trump said that relations with Venezuela have taken a positive turn, with Caracas showing willingness to work with Washington, including the release of political prisoners and moves to collaborate on energy infrastructure.
“The U.S. and Venezuela are working well together,” he wrote in a social media post. As part of this emerging cooperation, Trump noted that the United States plans to meet with major oil companies — often referred to as “big oil” — at the White House to promote investment in Venezuela’s energy sector. He said at least $100 billion is expected to be invested by these firms in the country’s oil and gas infrastructure.
Despite canceling further offensive strikes, Trump stressed that U.S. military forces and naval vessels in the region would remain in place for safety and security purposes. The decision follows a dramatic period of U.S.–Venezuelan interactions, including a previous military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and other developments that have reshaped diplomatic and strategic calculations.
The shift toward cooperation on economic and security issues marks a significant change from recent tensions between the two countries. Trump’s announcement underscores a potential pivot in U.S. foreign policy toward Venezuela, blending diplomatic engagement with ambitious economic interests tied to one of the world’s largest oil reserves.
