A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds Americans nearly evenly split on a reported U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro: 33% support, 34% oppose and 32% are unsure. The divide is sharply partisan—65% of Republican supporters back the action versus 11% of Democrats. Most respondents oppose Washington governing Venezuela or stationing troops there, and 72% worry the U.S. could become "too involved." Maduro pleaded not guilty in a U.S. court, and Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president.
Americans Nearly Evenly Split Over Reported U.S. Abduction Of Nicolás Maduro, Poll Finds
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gets off a helicopter on his way to Manhattan Federal Court, in New York, on January 5, 2026 [WABC via AP]
A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds Americans are almost evenly divided over a reported U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with sharp partisan differences shaping responses.
Poll Results
The survey, released Monday, showed 33% of respondents said they support the reported abduction, 34% opposed it and 32% were unsure. The results indicate a narrowly split public opinion on the operation itself.
Partisan Divide
Support for the operation broke strongly along party lines: 65% of Republican supporters favor the raid, compared with 11% of Democrats and 23% of independents. The partisan gap underscores how views of foreign military action remain polarized.
Views On U.S. Involvement In Venezuela
Respondents generally opposed broader U.S. control or occupation of Venezuela. Forty-three percent opposed Washington governing Venezuela until a new government is installed in Caracas, while 34% supported that idea and 20% were unsure.
Americans also leaned against stationing U.S. troops in Venezuela (47% opposed vs. 30% in favor) and were more likely to oppose seizing Venezuela's oil fields (46% opposed, 30% in favor). A large majority—72%—said they were very or somewhat concerned the United States could become "too involved" in the country.
Political Developments And Legal Proceedings
President Donald Trump said on Saturday the United States would "run" Venezuela, though administration officials have sought to downplay the idea of an occupation. On Sunday, Trump warned of further military measures if Venezuela "doesn't behave."
Maduro, who U.S. forces reportedly captured in a weekend raid, made his first court appearance on Monday in New York to face charges that include "narcoterrorism," drug trafficking and weapons possession. He pleaded not guilty to all counts and described himself as a victim of kidnapping.
"I am still president of my country," Maduro told a U.S. federal court in New York through an interpreter.
Maduro, his wife Cilia Flores, their son Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra and three other defendants face the possibility of life in prison if convicted.
Interim Leadership In Caracas
On Monday, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela's interim president. During a ceremony at the National Assembly, Rodríguez said she felt anguish over the "kidnapping" of President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores and asserted continuity of Venezuela's institutions.
Reporting attributed to Reuters/Ipsos forms the basis of the poll figures cited above.
