Overview
- Trump said Venezuela’s moves to free large numbers of political detainees prompted him to cancel a previously expected second wave of attacks, while U.S. ships remain in the region.
- Venezuela released high‑profile figures including Biagio Pilieri, Enrique Márquez and rights advocate Rocío San Miguel, which officials in Caracas framed as a gesture to “seek peace.”
- At a White House session with major producers, Trump touted at least $100 billion in prospective investment, as oil executives voiced caution and ExxonMobil’s CEO called Venezuela “un‑investable,” prompting Trump to pledge “total safety” for investors.
- The administration is pressing energy leverage, proposing U.S. sales of 30–50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, seizing tankers, and saying about $4 billion worth of oil is already en route to the United States.
- Congressional scrutiny intensified as the Senate advanced a war‑powers measure to constrain further strikes, and Venezuelan authorities opened exploratory talks to restore diplomatic ties even as casualty figures from the raid remain disputed.