• Trump cancels second wave of attacks on Venezuela due to cooperative gestures from the country.
• Venezuela is releasing political prisoners as part of peace efforts, according to Trump.
• Trump pledges at least $100 billion in investments from U.S. oil companies into Venezuela's oil infrastructure.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced he has cancelled the previously expected second wave of attacks on Venezuela following cooperation from the South American nation. Notably, Venezuela has begun releasing large numbers of political prisoners as a sign of "seeking peace," which Trump characterized as a "very important and smart gesture" via his social media platform, Truth Social. He emphasized that the U.S. and Venezuela are "working well together" particularly in rebuilding the country's oil and gas infrastructure, according to India Times, Channel News Asia, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and South China Morning Post.

The announcement follows a U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro. Trump stated that the cooperation from Venezuela has changed the situation, leading to the cancellation of military plans, but noted that "all ships will stay in place for safety and security purposes." Furthermore, he anticipates significant investments from U.S. oil companies, claiming that "at least $100 billion will be invested" and indicating plans to meet with executives to discuss these ventures, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and South China Morning Post.

Trump's comments also came during a time when Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was expected to arrive in Washington, indicating a potential shift in U.S. engagement with Venezuelan politics. While Trump dismissed collaboration with Machado previously, he has aligned himself with the interim government under Delcy Rodriguez, asserting that the U.S. government is "getting along very well" with Venezuelan authorities, as reported by India Times, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and South China Morning Post.

The situation in Venezuela is further complicated by the U.S. strategy to maintain control over the country's oil resources, which hold significant global reserves. Analysts caution about the potential challenges in navigating the complexities of governance and legal frameworks that accompany the anticipated investments. Trump's administration views Venezuela's oil as crucial for addressing U.S. domestic energy needs, aiming to alleviate rising fuel prices while fostering a new economic landscape, according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.