A second wave of military action against the country had been canceled by former US President Donald Trump, according to sources in the United States who are well versed in the matter, alleviating some concerns that had been raised in the regional governments and energy sectors.
This was in follow up to initial strikes that were authorized by the White House in what was seen as a direct provocation with respect to American interests.
Although there was consideration by the administration to conduct similar attacks against some military targets in Venezuela, this was later postponed.
US officials said the decision came out of concern about the possibility of wider conflict in the Caribbean and the north of South America and questions about the value of further strikes in gaining definable strategic aims.
This was first reported by US news media and was later verified through administration sources who were unnamed since they were not speaking officially.
The White House has not put out an official statement that would outline the rationale behind the cancellation.
When asked regarding the development a senior administration official said that “the United States is capable of defending its interests, but it is carefully weighing its next steps.”
This segment brings to the fore the tumultuous nature of the standoff that has been going on in Washington against the government led by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
When Donald Trump was the U.S. president, the United States had imposed broad sanctions against Venezuela had declared Juan Guaido as the interim president of the country.
Such policies put pressure on Venezuela’s oil driven economy but did not unseat Maduro who still had the support of the Venezuelan army as well as the support of other nations such as Russia, China and Cuba.
A direct military strike may very well have sucked other great powers into the conflict.
The standstill on further strikes would certainly ease the concern of instability in global energy markets for Australia and other US allies.
Venezuela possesses the global leading proven reserves of crude oil, although there have been drastic reductions in their current production levels as a result of sanctions and poor administration.
The Australian motoring sector is especially sensitive to global instability in the price of oil.
Regional authorities in Latin America have also called for caution.
A number of countries had already expressed the viewpoint that any invasion will only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, where millions have already fled due to the absence of food, healthcare and other basic needs.
Critics of the administration sparked by the Trump presidency have pointed to the move as another expression of the administration overall lack of strategy in dealing with the Venezuelan government.
The pro administration group would draw a different parallel in that by keeping the ultimate intentions of the US uncertain the country prevents any costs in a conflict with the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro.
In Washington, this event is likely to resurface as Trump campaigns for a presidential comeback.
His foreign policy experience replete with tough talk and about facers, is still contentious with the American electorate as well as with his foreign partners.
The next wave of confrontation with Venezuela will again put Congress which was divided on sanctions but non committal on military action under a potential new crunch.
At the moment, there are no plans to carry out additional attacks, according to U.S. officials.
“The current emphasis remains on diplomatic and economic pressure and the administration has indicated that they will carefully follow the current developments” prior to deciding the next move, he explains.
