Select Language:
A Reuters/Ipsos poll, completed on Monday, found that about one-third of Americans support the US military action that ousted Venezuela’s president. Meanwhile, 72% are concerned that the US might become too involved in the South American nation. The two-day survey indicates that 65% of Republicans endorse the military intervention ordered by Republican President Donald Trump, compared to just 11% of Democrats and 23% of independents.
US forces launched a pre-dawn raid in Caracas on Saturday, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The US handed Maduro over to federal authorities to face charges related to alleged drug trafficking. This operation, along with Trump’s statement that the US would now “manage” Venezuela, marks a notable shift for a president who has previously criticized other US leaders for foreign interventions.
The move followed signals from Trump’s administration that their main focus would be on the domestic economy, a critical issue as voters prepare for midterm elections later this year that will determine congressional control for the remainder of Trump’s term.
Support for aggressive foreign policies among Republicans is notable in the poll. About 43% agree with the statement: “The United States should have a policy of dominating affairs in the Western Hemisphere,” while 19% disagree. The rest were unsure or declined to answer. On Saturday, Trump said the US would “run” Venezuela for an unspecified period and mentioned the possibility of deploying ground troops. He also emphasized plans to overhaul Venezuela’s oil industry, stating the US needs “full access” to its vast oil reserves.
In the poll, 60% of Republicans supported sending US troops to Venezuela, compared to 30% of the general American population. Additionally, 59% of Republicans favored the US taking control of Venezuela’s oil fields. While Trump has not specified exact plans, he suggested that US influence would be exercised more through intimidation of Venezuelan leaders rather than direct governance, saying, “If they don’t behave, we will launch a second strike.” Despite this ambiguity, the survey shows that 65% of Republicans favor US oversight of Venezuela.
However, opinion within the party is divided on potential risks. Over half—54%—express concern that US involvement might become excessive, and the same percentage worry about the financial costs. Sixty-four percent are also concerned about the risk to military personnel in Venezuela.
The poll surveyed 1,248 adults nationwide, showing Trump’s approval rating at 42%, the highest since October and an increase from 39% in December. The survey was conducted online with a margin of error of roughly 3 percentage points.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
