U.S. President Donald Trump has today, January 9, 2026, announced the cancellation of a previously anticipated second wave of attacks on Venezuela, citing improved cooperation from the country’s interim leadership following the U.S. military operation that captured former President Nicolás Maduro.
“Because of this cooperation, I have cancelled the previously expected second Wave of Attacks, which looks like it will not be needed; however, all ships will stay in place for safety and security purposes,” declared President Donald Trump.
The revelation comes less than a week after the January 3 raid, where U.S. forces conducted a large-scale strike in Caracas, resulting in Maduro’s detention. The embattled Venezuelan leader and his wife were then flown to the United States to face charges related to narcoterrorism.
Trump had initially indicated readiness for further action if needed, but the latest update signals a de-escalation, after he highlighted Venezuela’s release of large numbers of political prisoners as a key positive step.
“Venezuela is releasing large numbers of political prisoners as a sign of ‘Seeking Peace.’ This is a very important and smart gesture,” he said.
He said the United States and the Venezuelan government are working well together, especially in the rebuilding of their oil and gas infrastructure in a much larger, better, and more modern form.
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Trump also mentioned that this cooperation made additional military strikes unnecessary, adding that at least $100 billion would be invested by some big oil companies into the Venezuelan oil sector, with whom he has planned to meet at the White House in a bid to discuss the rebuilding of Venezuela’s energy sector.
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In a gesture to consolidate peace, Venezuela’s interim authorities announced the release of prisoners on January 8, 2026, including prominent opposition figures and foreign nationals.
The U.S leader, after launching an attack to Venezuela, that created a high tension period in the country, and that claimed dozens of lives, leaving behind casualties, with the US reporting no fatalities during the raid, now claims credit for prompting the actions, which align with his broader narrative of using decisive U.S. pressure to achieve strategic goals, particularly securing access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, which are the largest in the world.
This move could pave the way for U.S. involvement in modernizing Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, potentially boosting global energy markets and aligning with Trump’s America First energy dominance agenda.
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