Key Takeaways
- One in three Americans approve of the U.S. military strike to remove Nicolás Maduro from the presidency of Venezuela.
- 72% of respondents are worried about the United States becoming too involved in Venezuela.
- There is a sharp partisan divide over the raid, with 65% of Republicans supporting it and 11% of Democrats supporting it.
- Maduro has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons counts.
- Trump’s approval rating has increased to 42%, the highest since October.
Introduction to the U.S. Military Strike
The recent U.S. military strike to remove Nicolás Maduro from the presidency of Venezuela has sparked a heated debate among Americans. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on January 5, 2026, one in three Americans approve of the military action. However, a significant majority of 72% of respondents are worried about the United States becoming too involved in the South American country. The poll, which was conducted online among 1,248 adults on January 4 and 5, found a sharp partisan divide over the raid, with 65% of Republicans backing the military operation, compared to 11% of Democrats and 23% of independents.
The Partisan Divide
The partisan divide over the raid is significant, with Republicans overwhelmingly supporting the military action. The poll found that 65% of Republicans believe that the U.S. military strike was justified, while only 11% of Democrats and 23% of independents share the same view. This divide is not surprising, given the political climate in the United States. The poll also found that 43% of Republicans agree with the statement: "The United States should have a policy of dominating affairs in the Western Hemisphere," compared with 19% who disagree. This suggests that a significant portion of Republicans believe that the United States should play a more assertive role in the region.
Maduro’s Plea and Defense
Nicolás Maduro, the embattled president of Venezuela, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy, and two weapons counts. Maduro, who was removed from power by the U.S. military strike, appeared in federal court in New York on January 5, where he declared his innocence through an interpreter. His lawyer, Barry Pollack, said that Maduro will challenge the legitimacy of his "military abduction." Maduro’s defense team is likely to argue that the U.S. military strike was unlawful and that the charges against him are politically motivated.
Trump’s Approval Rating
The poll found that President Donald Trump’s approval rating has increased to 42%, the highest since October. This increase in approval rating is likely due to the fact that a significant portion of Republicans support the military action against Maduro. The poll also found that Trump’s approval rating is closely tied to his foreign policy actions, with 43% of Republicans agreeing that the United States should have a policy of dominating affairs in the Western Hemisphere. This suggests that Trump’s aggressive foreign policy stance is popular among his base, but may be less popular among Democrats and independents.
The Broader Implications
The U.S. military strike against Maduro has significant implications for the region and for U.S. foreign policy. The fact that 72% of respondents are worried about the United States becoming too involved in Venezuela suggests that there is a significant amount of skepticism about the military action. The poll also found that a significant portion of Republicans believe that the United States should play a more assertive role in the region, which could have significant consequences for the future of U.S. foreign policy. As the situation in Venezuela continues to unfold, it is likely that the debate over the U.S. military strike will continue to be a major topic of discussion in the United States.