President Donald Trump said on Friday that he cancelled a previously anticipated second wave of U.S. military attacks on Venezuela after the country's authorities began releasing political prisoners, calling the move a sign that Caracas was "seeking peace."
Trump's comments came nearly a week after U.S. forces carried out a military operation in Caracas that led to the capture of authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. U.S. officials described the raid as the first phase of a broader campaign, raising questions about the possibility of additional strikes if Venezuelan authorities failed to comply with U.S. conditions.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Venezuela had released "large numbers of political prisoners," describing the decision as a "very important and smart gesture." He added that, as a result, "I have cancelled the previously expected second Wave of Attacks, which looks like it will not be needed," while noting that U.S. naval assets would remain in place "for safety and security purposes."
Trump said the United States and Venezuela were "working well together," particularly on plans to rebuild the country's oil and gas infrastructure. He said oil companies were expected to invest at least $100 billion and that he would meet with senior energy executives at the White House on Friday.
The remarks followed an announcement Thursday by National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez that the government had begun releasing a "significant number" of political prisoners. Rodríguez said the decision was taken jointly by the executive branch and other state institutions and framed it as a gesture intended to "seek peace" and promote national unity. He said releases were already underway and involved both Venezuelan and foreign detainees.
Hours after the announcement, families and supporters gathered in Caracas as several high-profile detainees were freed, as CNN reports. Among those released were former presidential candidate Enrique Márquez and former lawmaker Biagio Pilieri, who had been held at El Helicoide, a detention facility long criticized by human rights groups. Video verified by CNN Español showed emotional reunions late Thursday.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed that five Spaniards, including one dual national, were among those released and were returning to Spain.
Alfredo Romero, head of the Venezuelan group Penal Forum, said his organization was verifying each release, while the Committee for the Liberation of Political Prisoners in Venezuela called for transparency and swift action to free remaining detainees.
According to the Penal Forum, 863 political prisoners remained in detention as of early January.
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