Actions in Venezuela divide Americans seeking clarity on the Trump administration. goals, according to News themezone poll

American military action removing Nicolás Maduro stepping away from power divides Americans, and their views on the matter connect to what they believe America’s goals are and what they believe comes next.

At the moment, most think that the Trump administration, among other objectives, is trying to achieve access to Venezuelan oil and expand U.S. power in the region, and when Americans think those are important parts of the goals, they tend to disapprove.

When people think that goals have a lot to do with stop taking drugsgangs and terrorists, approve more. That view is largely expressed by Republicans, including MAGA Republicans, who believe this action will strengthen America and give the operation overwhelming support.

Still, that mix of perceptions is partly because most Americans say the administration he hasn’t done it clearly explained the United States’ plans with Venezuela.

Looking ahead, the public expresses uncertainty about what will happen now with the US military and Venezuela. Those who think U.S. military involvement will be limited are more approving of the action than those who now anticipate large involvement.

and the majority I don’t want to see that the United States has a lot of control over Venezuela.

MAGA’s opinion on the operation in Venezuela

Even more MAGA Republicans support the action now than who supported the idea in November.

There are at least two reasons: One is that an overwhelming majority calls the operation a military success, while other Americans frequently say it is too early to evaluate it.

Another is that they see a greater impact: MAGA Republicans are especially likely to say this will stop drugs and improve America’s standing in the world. stronger, and get other countries in the region to cooperate with the US.

Other Americans, by contrast, have more conflicting views on those implications.

For context, MAGA Republicans also overwhelmingly approved the US bombing of Iran last summer.

Impact of Maduro’s departure from power on the position of the United States

US military and participation from here.

Ultimately, many more consider the specific operation that removed Maduro a success, but almost half feel it is too early to say. That may depend on what you think happens from here.

Very few want the United States to have much control over Venezuela now.

Most do not support new military actions if Venezuela does not cooperate with US interests. Nor would they support the adoption of military actions in other countries in the region if those countries are not considered to be cooperating with the United States.

But Republicans stand out here, particularly the majority of the MAGA base: most would support further military action in either of those cases.

in the region

President Trump

Slightly more people approve of military action to overthrow Maduro than the president’s handling of the situation with Venezuela in general; the latter more closely follows his overall approval, and his overall approval has not changed since before this action.

While they still don’t give him wide approval, some groups do rate Maduro’s ouster a little higher compared to how they rate the president’s job performance overall. Hispanics are divided over action to overthrow Maduro, as are Americans generally. Slightly more independents approve of impeaching Maduro than approve of Trump overall.

role of congress

If we look at the role of Congress, just as before the action, when most Americans said Trump needed congressional approval for military action in Venezuela, today most Americans think Congress would need to approve any additional military action there.

This News themezone/YouGov poll was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 2,325 American adults interviewed between January 5 and 7, 2026. The sample was weighted to be representative of adults nationwide based on gender, age, race and education, based on the US Census American Community Survey and Current Population Survey, as well as the 2024 presidential vote. The margin of error is ±2.4 points.