Poll finds 1 in 3 Americans back Trump's military action against Venezuela

WASHINGTON, DC: A new Reuters-Ipsos poll shows that only about one in three Americans approve of the military operation ordered by President Donald Trump that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The survey found sharp partisan divides on the controversial intervention, with Republicans supporting it, but Democrats and independents opposing it.

Poll shows sharp partisan split on action against Venezuela

The results of the two-day poll conducted on January 4 and 5 found 65% of Republicans back the military operation, compared to 11% of Democrats and 23% of independents.

The poll found 43% of Republicans agreed with the statement: "The United States should have a policy of dominating affairs in the Western Hemisphere," compared with 19% who disagreed. The rest said they were unsure or did not answer the question.

The poll of 1,248 adults found Trump’s approval rating at 42%, the highest since October. 

Each result from the online poll has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

Broad unease over US involvement in Venezuela

By contrast, 72% of respondents said they were concerned that the US could become too deeply involved in the South American country.

Only 25% said they do not share that concern, underscoring a broad sense of unease about the long-term consequences of US intervention in the South American nation.

The anxiety cuts across ideological lines, though the intensity varies sharply by political affiliation. An overwhelming 90% of Democrats said they are concerned about excessive US involvement, followed by 74% of independents and nonaffiliated voters.

Republicans, however, remain far more divided. While 54% of Republicans said they worry about the US becoming overly involved, a significant 45% said they are not concerned.

US takes control after Nicolas Maduro's capture

Following Maduro’s capture, US officials confirmed that American forces carried out a raid on the Venezuelan leader’s residence, arresting both Maduro and his wife before transporting them to the US.

Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has since been installed as interim president, while the US maintains effective control over governance during what officials describe as a transitional period.

Trump has said the US will oversee Venezuela’s administration until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” of power can be achieved, a stance that has fueled both domestic and international debate.

Critics argue the move risks drawing the US into a prolonged foreign commitment, while supporters say the intervention was necessary to dismantle a regime accused of corruption, repression, and narco-te**orism.