U.S. Public Opinion on Venezuela (January 2026)

A January 2026 Morning Consult survey shows 60% of Americans more likely to support U.S. intervention in Venezuela after learning of Iranian and Hezbollah terror activity there, and 45% agreeing that U.S. energy industry help can make Venezuela a world energy leader.

60% of Americans say knowing Venezuela hosts Iranian and Hezbollah terror activity, including military drone production and narcoterrorism, makes them more likely to support American intervention, with 45% agreeing that U.S. energy industry assistance can make Venezuela a world leader in oil production, according to a Council for a Secure America survey conducted by Morning Consult on January 10-11, 2026.

Venezuela holds the largest proven oil reserves in the world, but its energy industry produces approximately 1% of global output, with over 80% of exports flowing to China.

1. 60% of Americans are more likely to support U.S. intervention in Venezuela after learning of Iranian and Hezbollah activity there.25% much more likely, 35% somewhat more likely. Net +20.
2. Support for intervention is driven by Hispanic Americans (66%), male Americans (66%), and Black Americans (64%).Among white Americans, 57%. Among Asian and other respondents, 47%.
3. Suburban and urban Americans back intervention more strongly than rural Americans.Urban 63%, Suburban 60%, Rural 56%.
4. 45% of Americans agree U.S. energy industry help can make Venezuela a world energy leader.Against 17% disagree. Net +28. The remainder offer "neither."
5. Male respondents back the energy frame at 51%, against 38% of female respondents.The largest cohort gap in the survey. Asian-and-other respondents at 48% agree.

The January 2026 Field Period

The survey was fielded on January 10-11, 2026, against a backdrop of escalating U.S.-Venezuela tensions. A September 2025 incident saw two armed Venezuelan F-16 fighter jets buzz a U.S. Navy ship in the Caribbean. In December 2025, the U.S. Treasury issued sanctions on the Iran-Venezuela drone trade. The Trump administration's $50 million reward for the arrest of Nicolás Maduro remained in effect across the field period. In October, the U.S. flew B-1 bomber demonstrations off Venezuela's coast. In December, Washington escalated with naval escort operations and tanker enforcement on Iran-Venezuela trade. In January, Trump signaled intent to revive Venezuela's oil sector even as talks with the new Venezuelan leadership opened. JINSA framed the Iran-Venezuela partnership as a cross-continental threat.

60% Support Intervention When Informed of Iranian and Hezbollah Activity

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?

60% of Americans say knowing Venezuela hosts Iranian and Hezbollah terror activity makes them more likely to support American intervention. Within the "more likely" share, 25% are much more likely and 35% are somewhat more likely. 23% are somewhat less likely and 17% are much less likely. The question offered no "neither" option.

A Plurality Agrees Venezuela Can Prosper With U.S. Energy Help

With help from the American energy industry, Venezuela can become a world leader in energy production, providing prosperity to Venezuelans and helping reduce the global influence of Middle Eastern oil. Do you agree or disagree?

45% of Americans agree that U.S. energy industry assistance can make Venezuela a world leader in energy production. 17% disagree. 37% offer "neither agree nor disagree." Within the agree share, 19% strongly agree and 26% somewhat agree. The net read is +28.

Bottom Line

The data pairs two CSA framings: that the Iran-Venezuela axis is real and operational, and that U.S. domestic energy strength can underwrite Venezuelan prosperity while reducing the global leverage of Middle Eastern oil. Both register majority or plurality support: 60% are more likely to back intervention after learning of Iranian and Hezbollah activity, and 45% agree on the energy-prosperity frame against 17% who disagree.

The intervention finding crosses conventional political-cultural lines: Hispanic, Black, and white respondents all break majority-favorable. The energy-frame finding sits within the Peace Through Prosperity sequence: American energy strength as the foundation, regional realignment as the outcome. For U.S. policy, the implication is that Western-hemisphere engagement on Venezuela can be argued through a national-security and energy-security frame rather than a regime-change frame, and that argument has cross-demographic appeal.

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