One-third of Americans support US military action against Venezuela: poll

About one-third of Americans support the US military operation that ousted Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro from office, a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on January 5 shows.

At the same time, most respondents expressed concern about Washington going too far in its involvement in Venezuela. 

Around 72 percent said that they were worried that the United States could become overly entangled in the South American country.

The survey, conducted over two days, highlighted a deep political divide over the action ordered by President Donald Trump. Support was strongest among Republicans, with 65 percent backing the military move.

In contrast, only 11 percent of Democrats and 23 percent of independents said that they approved of the operation. Trump’s overall approval rating stood at 42 percent.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in federal court in New York on January 5, where they pleaded not guilty to charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine and two weapons-related counts.

The poll also found differing views on US influence in the region. Among Republicans, 43 percent agreed with the statement that the United States should dominate affairs in the Western Hemisphere, while 19 percent disagreed. The remaining respondents said they were unsure or did not respond.

The online poll surveyed 1,248 adults between January 4 and 5 and carried a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.