Washington DC, January 10 (ANI): US President Donald Trump has cancelled a previously anticipated second wave of military attacks on Venezuela, citing improved cooperation from Caracas following the release of political prisoners and progress on oil, security and anti-narcotics cooperation between the two countries.
In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump said Venezuela’s decision to release large numbers of political prisoners was a “very important and smart gesture” and a sign of the country “seeking peace.” He added that improved relations have opened the door for cooperation on rebuilding and modernising Venezuela’s oil and gas infrastructure, prompting him to call off further offensive military action.
“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,” Trump wrote, noting that US military units in the region would remain on alert.
The announcement comes nearly a week after the US launched a large-scale strike in the Venezuelan capital Caracas, an operation that led to the capture of Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The two were flown out of the country in a joint operation involving US intelligence agencies and law enforcement and were later indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges of alleged drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies. They are currently facing trial in the United States.
Following Maduro’s capture, his longtime vice president Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as acting president. While describing US actions as an unprecedented “stain” on bilateral relations, Rodríguez said Venezuela would continue to pursue a diversified economic strategy and remain open to cooperation with global markets, including the United States.
Trump has since outlined a framework under which Venezuela would turn over between 30 and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the US. While the oil would be sold at market prices, Trump said the revenue would be controlled by his administration to ensure it is used to benefit both the Venezuelan and American people. He also stated that Venezuela would use proceeds from future oil agreements to purchase goods made exclusively in the United States.
As part of the strategy, Trump on Friday met with top global oil executives at the White House to discuss Venezuela’s oil sector, security cooperation, drug trafficking and long-term US–Venezuela relations. Trump claimed that at least USD 100 billion would be invested by major oil companies to help revive Venezuela’s dilapidated oil infrastructure.
However, industry sources cited by CNN said the figure has not yet been backed by concrete commitments, noting that oil companies remain cautious due to political instability, sanctions-related legal risks and the high cost of rebuilding Venezuela’s energy facilities after decades of underinvestment.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Washington’s economic pressure, including a blockade on Venezuelan oil exports, played a key role in pushing Caracas toward cooperation. Speaking to Fox News, Wright said the blockade allowed the US to exert leverage “without firing bullets or putting soldiers on the ground,” adding that the strategy could lead to a “very, very positive change in the trajectory of Venezuela.”
Despite the easing of immediate military escalation, the US continues to enforce sanctions aggressively. On Friday, US Southern Command announced the seizure of another oil tanker, Olina, in the Caribbean Sea, marking the fifth such seizure under ongoing operations targeting illicit oil trade. Earlier this week, US forces also seized a Russian-flagged tanker accused of violating sanctions near Venezuela.
“These operations send a clear message that there is no safe haven for criminals,” the US military said, noting that enforcement actions are backed by the full strength of the US Navy’s amphibious and carrier strike groups in the region.
Trump has linked Venezuela’s oil cooperation to broader regional security goals, including the stoppage of drugs and criminals entering the United States. He said Colombian President Gustavo Petro is expected to visit the White House in early February to discuss anti-narcotics efforts, expressing confidence that the talks would strengthen cooperation between the US and Colombia.
While Trump has emphasised that a second wave of attacks is no longer expected, he has also made clear that US forces will remain deployed and vigilant, signalling that Washington’s pressure campaign on Venezuela is far from over.
US–Venezuela Crisis: From Military Strike to Conditional Cooperation
1. US Launches Large-Scale Strike; Maduro Captured
Date: Early January 2026
- The United States launched a large-scale military strike on Caracas, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
- The operation involved US intelligence agencies and law enforcement, and both were flown out of Venezuela.
- Maduro and Flores were indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges of:
- Drug trafficking
- Narco-terrorism conspiracies
- They are currently facing trial in the United States.
President Donald Trump later declared, “We’re in charge,” signaling direct US oversight of developments in Venezuela.
2. Blockade and Oil Sanctions Enforced
Date: December 2025 – January 2026
- Trump announced a “total and complete blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela.
- Venezuela was designated a “foreign terrorist organisation”, accused of funding:
- Drug terrorism
- Human trafficking
- Violent crimes
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright later stated the blockade:
- Applied military pressure without ground combat
- Forced Caracas to cooperate to access oil revenues
- Created US leverage to influence political and economic reforms
3. Interim Government Installed
Date: Following Maduro’s capture
- Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s vice president, was sworn in as acting president.
- Rodríguez criticized US actions as an unprecedented “stain” on bilateral relations.
- However, she emphasized:
- Venezuela’s openness to global markets
- Continued public and private sector engagement internationally
- Willingness to cooperate economically despite political tensions
4. Political Prisoners Released
Date: January 9, 2026
- Venezuela released large numbers of political prisoners.
- Trump described the move as:
- A “very important and smart gesture”
- A sign of “seeking peace”
This marked the first visible concession by Caracas following US military pressure.
5. Trump Cancels Second Wave of Attacks
Date: January 9, 2026
- Trump announced he had cancelled a previously expected second wave of military strikes.
- Reason cited:
- Improved cooperation from Caracas
- Prisoner releases
- Progress on oil and security talks
However:
- US naval forces remain on full alert
- Warships will stay in position for “safety and security purposes”
6. Oil-for-Cooperation Framework Emerges
Date: January 9–10, 2026
- Venezuela agreed to turn over 30–50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the US.
- Oil will be sold at market price, but:
- Revenues will be controlled by the Trump administration
- Funds are to be used for the benefit of both Venezuela and the US
Trump stated Venezuela would use oil revenues to:
- Purchase goods made exclusively in the United States
- Make the US its primary economic partner
7. Trump Meets Global Oil Executives
Date: January 10, 2026
- Trump hosted top executives from major oil companies at the White House.
- Discussions focused exclusively on:
- Venezuelan oil
- Long-term US–Venezuela relations
- Security
- Drug trafficking
- Oil price reduction for Americans
Trump claimed:
- USD 100 billion would be invested by major oil companies to rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure.
However:
- Industry sources told CNN the figure lacks confirmed commitments
- Companies remain cautious due to:
- Political instability
- Legal risks
- Sanctions uncertainty
- Decades of infrastructure decay
8. Continued Military Enforcement at Sea
Date: January 9, 2026
- US Southern Command seized another oil tanker, Olina, in the Caribbean.
- This marked the fifth tanker seizure under the operation.
- Earlier, a Russian-flagged tanker (Marinera) was also seized for violating sanctions.
- Operations involved:
- US Marines and Sailors
- USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group
- Amphibious Ready Group vessels
The Pentagon emphasized:
“There is no safe haven for criminals.”
9. Regional Security Focus
- Trump announced an upcoming White House meeting with Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
- Central focus:
- Stopping cocaine and drug trafficking into the US
- Venezuela’s oil cooperation is tied directly to border security and narcotics enforcement.
Key Takeaways
- The US used military force, economic blockade, and oil sanctions to force political change without prolonged combat.
- Venezuela’s interim government is cooperating under strict US oversight.
- Oil has become the central bargaining tool for:
- Economic recovery
- Political legitimacy
- US strategic dominance in the Western Hemisphere
- Despite diplomatic language, US military pressure remains active and visible.
- 1,364 words, 7 minutes read time.
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