Trump Cancels Planned Military Escalation Against Venezuela
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stated he called off a planned "second wave" of military attacks against Venezuela, citing cooperation from the South American nation. The announcement clarifies a period of heightened tension and significant military planning by the United States toward the government of Nicolás Maduro.
According to multiple statements from Trump, he canceled the planned escalation after Venezuela demonstrated a willingness to work with U.S. interests [45718][45567]. While the exact nature of this cooperation was not detailed in every account, one report specified it followed the release of political prisoners by Venezuelan authorities [45577][45999]. This decision halted what Trump described as a follow-up to an initial, unspecified wave of actions [45704][45577].
The revelations underscore the extensive military options that were prepared during Trump's administration. Sources confirm he was briefed on updated plans that included potential land-based strikes [4453]. In one disclosure, Trump revealed that U.S. forces spent months rehearsing operations, including the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro [41035]. A separate report detailed a large-scale, unreleased operation named "Operation Absolute Resolve," which involved over 150 aircraft and special forces units with the goal of removing Maduro from power [41041].
Throughout this period, Trump made several public claims about military action, at times stating the U.S. had struck a "big facility" in Venezuela, though these assertions were not corroborated by official releases [37332][36808]. He also suggested the possibility of a U.S. ground invasion, stating such an event could happen "pretty soon" [24461]. The public rationale for the military pressure shifted over time, initially focusing on counter-narcotics operations before emphasizing the goal of a democratic transition [40782].
The planned "second wave" of attacks was ultimately scrapped. Trump linked the de-escalation not only to prisoner releases but also to potential economic deals, noting that U.S. oil companies were prepared to invest heavily in Venezuela's vast oil reserves [45999]. The episode reveals a strategy that combined overt military threats with diplomatic and economic incentives, though Maduro remains in power.