Most Americans Say They Would Back Further Military Intervention in Venezuela, Poll Shows

A majority of Americans say they would support U.S. military intervention in Venezuela when informed of alleged ties between the country and narcoterrorism, Iran, and Hezbollah, according to a new Morning Consult poll conducted for the Council for a Secure America.

The survey found that 60% of respondents said such information would make them more likely to support a U.S. intervention, while 40% said it would make them less likely.

Support varied across demographic groups, as The New York Post points out. Sixty-six percent of Latinos respondents said they would back intervention, as did the same share of men.

Among white respondents, 64% expressed support for the scenario, compared with 54% of women. By contrast, a majority of Black respondents opposed intervention, with 57% saying they would be less likely to support military action and 43% saying they would be more likely.

The question posed to respondents stated: "As you may know, Venezuela is a known hub for Iranian and Hezbollah terror, including military drone production and narcoterrorism. Does this make you more or less likely to support American intervention in Venezuela?"

The polling follows the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces and his transfer to New York to face drug trafficking charges brought by the Justice Department. Maduro has denied the allegations.

Support for intervention was broadly consistent across income levels and geographic categories, including urban, suburban, and rural respondents, according to the survey.

The poll also measured views on Venezuela's energy sector. Respondents were told that Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves but that its energy industry largely fails to produce oil. They were then asked whether they agreed that, with help from the U.S. energy industry, Venezuela could become a leading energy producer and reduce global reliance on Middle Eastern oil.

45% of respondents said they agreed with that statement, while 37% said they had no opinion and 17% said they disagreed.

"Council for Secure America's polling demonstrates strong American support for U.S. engagement in Venezuela given the extent of Iran's entrenchment in the country's energy sector and Hezbollah's involvement in the criminal drug economy," said Jennifer Sutton, the group's executive director to The New York Post.

Sutton added that the findings show "broad agreement that U.S. energy expertise can help Venezuela become a major energy producer again while strengthening American security."