Trump says he has canceled a 'second wave' of attacks on Venezuela

President Donald Trump said early Friday that he had cancelled a “previously expected” second wave of attacks on Venezuela due to the country’s cooperation with the United States, CNN reported.

It comes nearly a week after he ordered a military operation to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is currently in US custody along with his wife Cilia Flores.

Shortly after that military operation, Trump said in a news conference, “We are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so. … We actually assumed that a second wave would be necessary, but now it’s probably not.”

In Friday’s Truth Social post, Trump said the US and Venezuela are “working well together, especially as it pertains to rebuilding, in a much bigger, better, and more modern form, their oil and gas infrastructure.”

“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,” he added.

During a meeting with oil executives Friday afternoon, the president said he didn’t think a second wave would be necessary, but again pointed to the US’ military buildup in the Caribbean Sea if circumstances were to change.

“I don’t think it’s going to be necessary. We have an armada, a giant armada, like nobody’s ever seen in that part of the world, and it’s stationed off the coast,” Trump said. He later added that he views Venezuela as an ally “right now” and thinks it will continue to be one.

Trump in his Truth Social post also noted that Venezuela was “releasing large numbers of political prisoners as a sign of ‘Seeking Peace,’” adding, “This is a very important and smart gesture.”

Venezuela began releasing the high-profile prisoners on Thursday, including opposition politicians in an effort to “seek peace,” the acting government said.