Image Credit: JUAN BARRETO / Contributor / Getty 
On Friday President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela is figuratively playing ball with the U.S. following the successful capture of Dictator Nicolas Maduro. The President said a sign of Venezuela’s capitulation with Washington’s agenda is the release of political prisoners which were incarcerated under the Maduro regime.
Venezuela is releasing large numbers of political prisoners as a sign of “Seeking Peace.” This is a very important and smart gesture. The U.S.A. 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. At least 100 Billion Dollars will be invested by BIG OIL, all of whom I will be meeting with today at The White House. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT
Image credit: The entrance of the El Helicoide -a facility and prison owned by the Venezuelan government and used for both regular and political prisoners of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN)- is pictured in Caracas on January 9, 2026. Venezuela began releasing a “large number” of political prisoners, including several foreigners, in a move praised by US President Donald Trump on January 9 as a step toward cooperation after the ouster of ruler Nicolas Maduro. (Photo by Juan BARRETO / AFP via Getty Images)
Trump has long believed that the spoils of war, chiefly hydrocarbons, belong to the victor.
In 2011 he explained that the U.S. should take control of Iraq’s oil.
During his 2016 campaign Trump said that while the U.S. shouldn’t have went into Iraq, being as though it did, it should keep the oil. Instead China got the oil.
He reiterated this sentiment numerous times early on in his political career.
Trump explained Friday that Venezuela releasing of political prisoners is emblematic of a sea change in the country’s relationship with the U.S., before mentioning the oil reserves he’s eying.
On Wednesday Patrick Bet-David broke down Trump’s move to seize 30–50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil.
