Most Americans Oppose Military Action in Venezuela, Want Congress to Approve Further Escalations in the Country: Poll

Most Americans oppose the prospect of U.S. military action in Venezuela and want Congress to authorize any further escalation, according to a new national survey by CBS News.

Furthermore, large majorities across party lines said the Trump administration has not clearly explained its intentions in the country and that they want more information before any decision is made.

The poll found that Americans generally view Venezuela as a minor threat rather than a major one, and that potential military action lacks broad support, including among Republicans. Three in four respondents said President Donald Trump would need congressional approval before taking military action, a view shared by just over half of Republicans.

Awareness of the ongoing U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean remains limited as only one in five Americans said they had heard a lot about the deployment, which has included naval and air assets positioned near Venezuela. Strikes on boats the administration alleges were carrying drugs showed partisan divisions: just over half of Americans approved, driven by strong Republican support, while large majorities from both parties said the government should show evidence that the vessels were transporting narcotics.

Most Americans said they do not believe military action in Venezuela would meaningfully reduce drug flows into the United States.

A separate Reuters poll published on November 14 reinforced public hesitation toward the administration's regional strategy. Fewer than three in ten Americans (29%) supported using the U.S. military to kill suspected drug traffickers. A majority—51%—opposed the approach. The partisan split in that one, however, was stark: 58% of Republicans supported such actions, compared with just 10% of Democrats.

Within Trump's base, MAGA-aligned Republicans were more inclined to support possible military action in Venezuela and more likely to believe the administration has provided sufficient explanation. Those opposed—including many Republicans—tended to prioritize economic issues and said the administration was not spending enough time addressing inflation and rising prices.

The CBS News poll also delved into other topics, reflecting broad dissatisfaction with the economy. Most Americans said the president portrays inflation and prices as better than they experience at home, and his approval ratings on the economy and inflation have reached their lowest levels of the year. More than two-thirds disapprove of his handling of inflation.

On immigration, views remain polarized. Republicans overwhelmingly support the administration's deportation actions, while most other respondents say ICE is detaining too many people and that the program harms their communities. The survey also found widespread bipartisan support for releasing the Epstein files, though most said the issue does not influence their overall evaluation of the president.