In a significant development concerning international relations, former US President Donald Trump has announced a major shift in stance towards Venezuela, citing a move towards peace by the South American nation.
Trump's Early Morning Announcement on Venezuela
Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform in the early hours of Wednesday, January 9, 2026, to make a surprising statement. At precisely 4:19 a.m. Eastern Time, he declared that the Venezuelan government is in the process of releasing what he termed "large numbers of political prisoners."
Trump described this action as a critical and intelligent move by Venezuela, indicating the country's desire for peaceful resolution. He framed the prisoner releases as "a very important and smart gesture" directly aimed at de-escalating tensions.
Cancellation of Military Plans and Oil Cooperation
The former President directly linked this development to a major decision on the part of the United States. He stated that because of this cooperative gesture, he has ordered the cancellation of a previously anticipated "second wave of attacks." Trump asserted that such military action now "looks like it will not be needed."
Furthermore, Trump revealed that the two nations are currently "working well together," with a primary focus on a massive project to rebuild Venezuela's crucial oil and gas infrastructure. He promised the effort would result in a system that is "much bigger, better, and more modern" than its previous state.
On the financial side, Trump made a bold claim about incoming investment, stating that "at least $100 billion will be invested by big oil" companies. To advance this, he announced plans to meet with executives from these major oil corporations later on Friday at the White House.
Ongoing Security and Unanswered Questions
Despite the positive tone and cancelled offensive plans, Trump noted that US naval ships would remain stationed in the region. He clarified their continued presence is strictly "for safety and security purposes."
The statement, however, left several crucial details unexplained. It did not specify which political prisoners are being released or provide the exact number of individuals affected. Additionally, the specific nature of any formal agreements between the US and Venezuela remains undisclosed. The military actions referenced by Trump as the "second wave of attacks" were also not detailed, leaving the scope and timing of the previously considered operations unclear.
This announcement marks a potential turning point in the long-strained relationship between the United States and Venezuela, pivoting from confrontation to claimed cooperation, centered heavily on the South American country's vast energy resources.
