Andrew Stanton
By Andrew Stanton
Weekend Staff Writer
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
The Trump administration’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is popular across Latin America, according to a survey conducted by a pollster based in Mexico.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the U.S. captured Maduro and his wife, Cilla Flores, after a “large-scale strike” against Caracas. The two face charges of narco-terrorism as the administration has blamed Venezuela for the flow of deadly drugs into the United States.
The military action drew mixed reaction. Trump’s supporters celebrated the strikes as an effort that would improve the safety of the U.S., while critics raised concerns about their legality as he did not receive authorization from Congress.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas on August 17, 2024. | Alfredo Lasry R/Getty Images
What To Know
Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. Maduro was previously indicted in March 2020 on "narco-terrorism" conspiracy charges in the same district, and in August 2025, the U.S. doubled its bounty to $50 million for information leading to his arrest. Maduro has denied any wrongdoing.
The pollster shared the results of its survey to X on Monday, revealing that a majority in nearly every Latin American country supports Maduro's ouster.
Costa Rica was the most supportive as 87 percent of respondents approved of his arrest, followed by Chile (78 percent), Colombia (77 percent), Panama (76 percent) and Peru (74 percent). Sixty-one percent of respondents in Argentina and 60 percent in Ecuador supported his ouster, as did 52 percent in Uruguay.
Only in Mexico did a plurality, rather than a majority, support his arrest. Only 43 percent supported it, with 42 percent opposed.
The poll also found that most respondents would prefer that Venezuelan opposition, rather than U.S. officials, assume power in Venezuela.
Delcy Rodríguez, who served as Maduro’s vice president, is now interim president. Trump, however, said the U.S. will remain in charge until there is a transition of power. Opposition leader Maria Machado, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, has called for new elections, but Trump said he did not view her as a potential replacement.
The survey was conducted from January 3-4, the pollster said. Trump shared its results to Truth Social on Tuesday.
What People Are Saying
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, on X on Saturday: “The great teaching of Benito Juárez in these moments must also guide the United States: among individuals as among Nations, respect for the rights of others is peace.”
Peruvian President José Jerí, on X on Saturday: “Venezuela begins a new era in democracy and freedom. May internal order be restored soon with its legitimate president and those who fought for this moment. Our region also has the possibility of recovering its security and beginning an era of prosperity.”
Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, on X on Saturday: “My government declared from the outset that Maduro committed electoral fraud - for that reason, he was never a legitimate president and now must answer for his crimes in Venezuela and abroad. May God bless the brave Venezuelan people and help them recover the democracy and rule of law that the deposed dictator Maduro stole from them. Let us celebrate this new opportunity for our Venezuelan brothers.”
What Happens Next
Maduro pleaded not guilty on Monday as the political debate over how the U.S. should approach a power transfer in Venezuela continues.
