WASHINGTON – One in three Americans approve of the U.S. military strike to remove Nicolás Maduro from the presidency of Venezuela to face federal drug-trafficking charges, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Jan. 5.
In contrast, 72% of respondents worried about the United States becoming too involved in the South American country.
The two-day poll found a sharp partisan divide over the raid that President Donald Trump ordered, with his approval rating at 42%. The results found 65% of Republicans back the military operation, compared to 11% of Democrats and 23% of independents.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty in federal court in New York on Jan. 5 to charges of narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy and two weapons counts.
"I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country," Maduro said through an interpreter, before being cut off by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
