A significant majority of the American public opposes invading Venezuela or using military force to overthrow its president, Nicolás Maduro, according to a recent YouGov poll, even as a substantial US naval buildup continues in the Caribbean Sea.
The survey, conducted in early September 2025, found that 62% of Americans oppose a US invasion of Venezuela, with only 16% in support.
Similarly, 53% are against using military force specifically to oust Maduro, while just 18% would support such an action.
The data reveals a notable partisan divide. While majorities of Democrats (74%) and Independents (63%) oppose an invasion, Republicans are more divided, though a plurality (48%) remains opposed.
The polling comes amid a period of heightened tension. The Trump administration has deployed a flotilla of eight warships, supported by advanced F-35 fighter jets in Puerto Rico, to the waters near Venezuela.
Officially, the mission is to combat drug trafficking, with the US government labelling Maduro a “narco-terrorist” and placing a $50 million bounty on him.
However, administration officials have suggested to outlets like Axios and The New York Times that a core objective is to pressure the Maduro government, with one calling it “Noriega part 2,” a reference to the 1989 US invasion of Panama.
President Trump has publicly played down the idea of regime change. “We’re not talking about that,” he told reporters in early September, though he criticised the legitimacy of Venezuela’s recent elections.
Meanwhile, Maduro has accused the US of preparing for an invasion, urging citizens to join militia trainings and declaring, “If Venezuela were attacked by the American empire, we must activate the armed struggle of the Venezuelan people”.
The YouGov poll indicates that Americans are more receptive to supporting a domestic Venezuelan uprising than to direct US military action.
While 39% oppose providing military aid to Venezuelans attempting to overthrow Maduro, 32% would support it, a level of support double that for a direct US invasion. This sentiment appears to align with a broader shift in public opinion.
The poll also found that a growing number of Americans, particularly Democrats and Independents, believe foreign military interventions tend to worsen situations rather than improve them.
The stand-off has placed the region on edge, with experts noting the military presence is significant for sending a signal but likely insufficient for a full-scale invasion.
The situation remains volatile, with the American public expressing clear reservations about escalating the confrontation into a direct military conflict.
Sources: YouGov, Associated Press, Axios, Reuters, Antiwar