In a surprise de-escalation, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he has cancelled a planned "second wave" of military attacks on Venezuela. The reason? Cooperation on oil infrastructure and the release of political prisoners.

The announcement comes days after US special forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump cited the release of "large numbers" of detainees as a "smart gesture" by the transitional authorities, signaling a shift from military conquest to economic integration.

The Art of the Deal

"The USA and Venezuela are working well together... rebuilding their oil and gas infrastructure," Trump wrote. This confirms suspicions that the intervention was primarily driven by energy interests.

• The Armada Stays: Despite the pause in strikes, the US Navy carrier group remains off the coast. "All ships will stay in place for safety," Trump warned, keeping the gunboat diplomacy option on the table.
• The Opposition: Trump also revealed he will meet Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado in Washington next week. Machado has reportedly offered to "share her Nobel Peace Prize" with him—a statement likely designed to flatter the US President into continued support.
• Global Reaction: The cancellation of strikes has calmed oil markets, with Brent Crude dropping 2% on Friday. However, critics argue Trump is effectively running Venezuela as a US protectorate.