Americans evenly split on Maduro’s abduction, poll shows

One in three Americans opposes the Venezuelan leader’s abduction by US forces, a poll shows, while others are unsure.Published On 6 Jan 2026Americans are evenly split in their support for the US military operation to abduct Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, an opinion poll has found.Thirty-three percent of Americans support Maduro’s abduction, compared with 34 percent who are against it and 32 percent who are not sure, the Reuters/Ipsos poll showed on Monday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Osimhen double for Nigeria downs Mozambique to seal AFCON quarterfinal spotlist 2 of 4Trump administration sets meetings with oil companies on Venezuela: Reportlist 3 of 4Hundreds of tourists stuck on Yemeni island as tensions simmer on mainlandlist 4 of 4Central African Republic’s Touadera wins third presidential termend of listSupporters of President Donald Trump’s Republican Party are much more likely to support the military operation, with 65 percent in favour, compared with 11 percent of Democrats and 23 percent of independents.On the question of who should govern Venezuela, Americans lean against Washington taking control of the country, according to the poll.Forty-three percent oppose Washington governing Venezuela until a new government is established in Caracas, compared with 34 percent in favour and 20 percent who are unsure.Americans lean against the US stationing troops in Venezuela – 47 percent to 30 percent – according to the poll.More Americans than not also oppose the Trump administration taking control of Venezuela’s oil fields, with 46 percent against the idea and 30 percent in favour.On the question of whether the US could become “too involved” in the Latin American country, 72 percent are very or somewhat concerned.Trump said on Saturday that the US would “run” Venezuela, though officials in his administration have sought to downplay the prospect of Washington occupying the country.On Sunday, Trump threatened further military action against Venezuela if it “doesn’t behave”.