Washington: US President Donald Trump's overall approval rating has remained largely unchanged following a US military operation aimed at capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Public opinion on this intervention closely aligns with his broader job approval numbers, as indicated by the latest CBS News/YouGov poll.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, the survey found that a slightly higher percentage of Americans approve of the military action to remove Maduro compared to Trump's overall handling of the Venezuela situation. However, neither perspective commands a significant majority support. The poll highlights that Trump's approval for his management of the Venezuela situation has shown little change since before the operation and continues to mirror his overall job approval rating.
The results indicate that while the military action itself does not receive widespread approval, certain groups, including a larger share of independents, view Maduro's removal more favorably than they rate Trump's overall performance. Hispanic respondents were divided on the action, reflecting similar proportions to the national average.
Trump's core supporters, particularly those aligned with the MAGA movement among Republicans, demonstrated strong support for the operation. This group frequently cited reasons such as stopping drug trafficking, strengthening America's position globally, and securing cooperation from regional partners as justification for their backing.
The poll reveals that public opinion on the intervention is heavily influenced by perceptions of the administration's intentions. Respondents who believe the operation aims primarily at accessing Venezuelan oil or expanding US influence in the region tended to disapprove more strongly. Conversely, those who view the action as focused on stopping drugs, gangs, and terrorism-an outlook more common among Republicans, including MAGA Republicans-expressed stronger support. Many in this group believe the move will bolster the US.
The survey also found that a majority of Americans feel the administration has not clearly articulated its long-term plans for Venezuela. Respondents who anticipate limited future US military involvement expressed higher approval of the action compared to those expecting broader or prolonged engagement. Most Americans indicated they would not support further military action against Venezuela if it does not cooperate with US interests. Similarly, there is limited backing for military measures against other regional countries perceived as uncooperative with Washington.
On the issue of congressional oversight, opinions remained consistent with pre-action sentiment. Just as most Americans believed before the operation that Trump required congressional approval to initiate military operations in Venezuela, a majority today holds that Congress must approve any additional military involvement.
The CBS News/YouGov survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 2,325 US adults interviewed shortly after the US raid in Venezuela's capital that resulted in Maduro's capture.