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Following a recent military operation, former President Trump announced at a news conference, “We are prepared to launch a second, much larger attack if necessary. We initially thought a second wave would be required, but it seems unlikely now.”
In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump stated that the United States and Venezuela are collaborating effectively, particularly in efforts to rebuild Venezuela’s oil and gas infrastructure in a more extensive, improved, and modern way.
Trump explained, “Due to this cooperation, I have decided to cancel the anticipated second wave of attacks, which now appears unnecessary. However, all naval forces will remain on standby for safety and security reasons.”
He further mentioned that Venezuela is “releasing a significant number of political prisoners as a gesture of ‘Seeking Peace,'” noting, “This is a crucial and wise move.”
On Thursday, Venezuela began freeing high-profile detainees, including opposition figures, as part of an initiative to promote peace, according to the acting government.
Following the military operation last week, US officials had demanded, among other things, that Venezuela’s interim government release political prisoners, according to a source familiar with the US administration’s briefing with key lawmakers this week.
After the ousting of Maduro, Trump had also said the US would effectively “run” the country.
Trump also has not ruled out the possibility of longer-term military involvement, and said on Thursday that his administration will soon begin actions to target cartels on land, following months of strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
Trump has also said he would say hello to Venezuelan opposition leader MarÃa Corina Machado when she travels to Washington, DC, next week. He added in an interview with Fox News that it would be “a great honour” to share Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize after she suggested doing so.
The Senate on Thursday, however, delivered a symbolic rebuke to Trump over the operation in Venezeula, advancing a resolution that would limit future US military force in the country without Congress’ approval. Five Republicans joined all Senate Democrats in advancing the measure, which is expected to pass next week.
Trump to meet with oil executives
Trump is set to meet at the White House on Friday with executives from major oil companies to persuade them to increase Venezuela’s oil output and make new investments in the country.
He claimed in his Truth Social post that “at least 100 Billion Dollars will be invested by BIG OIL,” but the oil industry has expressed serious scepticism about ponying up tens of billions of dollars over a decade to restore Venezuela’s oil infrastructure.
The vision for oil production laid out by senior Trump officials, led by Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, would represent an unprecedented exertion of control over a foreign country’s oil resources with no clear timetable or guarantee of success.
Wright told CNN on Wednesday that the administration was “still working out the logistics” of how it plans to sell the oil and deposit the proceeds.
