Broad Opposition, Narrow Support

A Quinnipiac University national poll released on December 17, 2025 found that nearly two-thirds of U.S. voters oppose military action inside Venezuela.

The survey showed 63% of registered voters opposed such action, while 25% supported it, with the remainder undecided or declining to respond.

The findings point to a substantial gap between public opinion and the Trump administration’s increasingly forceful posture toward President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

The poll was conducted from December 11 to 15, 2025 among 1,035 self-identified registered voters nationwide and carries a margin of error of ±3.9 percentage points.

Respondents were asked about military action in the context of escalating U.S. pressure on Venezuela, including recent U.S. strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels and a newly announced blockade targeting sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers.

“Pressure Without Consensus”

Partisan divisions were stark.

Among Democrats, opposition to military action was overwhelming, with 89% opposed and only about 4–6% expressing support.

Independents also leaned strongly against intervention, with opposition ranging from 57% to 68% depending on the crosstab, and support between 19% and 38%.

Republicans were the outlier: support for military action ranged from 52% to as high as 83%, while opposition among Republicans fell between 14% and 33%.

These splits suggest that while skepticism spans party lines, backing for military escalation is concentrated within the Republican base, aligning more closely with the administration’s rhetoric.

Even so, the overall numbers indicate that majority support for force is absent at the national level.

Gender Gaps and Related Strikes

The poll also identified a gender gap.

Among men, 59% opposed military action in Venezuela.

Opposition was higher among women, at 67%, though one crosstab showed 36% support among women, indicating some internal variation.

Beyond the broader question of intervention, Quinnipiac asked specifically about U.S. strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in international waters.

On that issue, 53% of respondents opposed the strikes, which have reportedly killed dozens since September 2025.

These findings suggest unease not only with large-scale military action but also with narrower uses of force tied to counter-narcotics operations.

Consistent Skepticism Over Time

The Quinnipiac results are consistent with earlier polling in 2025.

A CBS News/YouGov survey in November found roughly 70% of Americans opposed to invading Venezuela, while other YouGov polls throughout the year showed opposition ranging from 55% to 70%.

Together, the surveys point to sustained public wariness about deeper U.S. military involvement.

The polling comes as the Trump administration has increased pressure on Caracas through a military buildup in the Caribbean, strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels, and President Trump’s December 16, 2025 announcement of a “total and complete blockade” of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers.

Administration officials have framed these measures as necessary responses to alleged links between Maduro’s government and drug trafficking, human trafficking, and terrorism.