The president’s opponents like to frame him as a mad man. But the reality is far more complex from the picture they paint.
And now Trump issued a stand down order that is truly bewildering.
Trump’s Wise Halt to Further Venezuela Strikes
President Donald Trump demonstrated astute leadership by announcing early Friday that he has canceled the anticipated “second wave” of military actions against Venezuela, crediting the nation’s emerging cooperation and the release of political prisoners as key factors in de-escalating tensions. In a Truth Social post, Trump highlighted the positive developments, stating, “Venezuela is releasing large numbers of political prisoners as a sign of ‘Seeking Peace,’” and adding, “This is a very important and smart gesture.”
He praised the collaborative spirit, noting that Washington and Caracas are “working well together, especially as it pertains to rebuilding, in a much bigger, better, and more modern form, their oil and gas infrastructure.”
Emphasizing the effectiveness of his approach, Trump explained, “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.” This decision underscores Trump’s ability to achieve diplomatic wins through strength, avoiding unnecessary escalation while maintaining a vigilant posture.
Trump also projected major economic benefits, claiming at least $100 billion in investments from “BIG OIL” to revitalize Venezuela’s energy sector. He is set to host executives from Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips at the White House on Friday to advocate for their involvement, showcasing his proactive vision for turning instability into opportunity despite decades of leftist mismanagement in the country.
Breakthrough in Prisoner Releases Amid Maduro’s Capture
The announcement follows the Venezuelan government’s goodwill gesture of freeing several high-profile detainees, including opposition figures, activists, and journalists, just days after U.S. special forces successfully captured former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3.
The couple, who reportedly injured themselves during an evasion attempt, were brought to New York for arraignment on federal narco-terrorism and weapons charges.
Venezuelan official Jorge Rodriguez, brother of interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, framed the releases as a step toward reconciliation, saying, “Consider this a gesture by the Bolivarian (Venezuelan) government, which is broadly intended to seek peace.”
Among those freed, as reported by prisoner advocacy group Foro Penal, were opposition leader Biagio Pilieri, former electoral authority Enrique Márquez, and five Spanish citizens, including a Venezuelan-Spanish human rights lawyer.
Trump’s firm handling of the situation has evidently prompted these concessions, with the president telling Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday, “Everything we’ve wanted, they’ve given us,” and predicting massive oil revenues: “We’re taking billions and billions of dollars worth of oil, and it’ll be hundreds of billions of dollars. It’ll be trillions of dollars,” while affirming, “But we’re going to be there until we straighten out the country. We’ll see how the country is doing. But we’ll be there running the oil.”
Earlier this week, Trump revealed Venezuela’s agreement to sell up to 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S. at market price, with him overseeing the use of proceeds—a clear sign of his commanding influence.
Future Engagements Signal Trump’s Diplomatic Momentum
Looking forward, exiled Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize recipient for her anti-authoritarian efforts, is slated to meet with Trump next week.
The president expressed enthusiasm, calling her “a very nice person” and adding, “I understand she’s coming in next week sometime, and I look forward to saying hello to her and I’ve heard that she wants to do that. That would be a great honor.”
Machado has even indicated a desire to personally present her Nobel Prize to Trump, who received multiple nominations for the award, reflecting mutual respect amid his successful interventions.
Although Trump has noted Machado’s current lack of broad support within Venezuela, his measured assessment and ongoing engagements illustrate a strategic path toward stabilizing the region under U.S. guidance, further cementing his reputation for bold, results-oriented foreign policy.
