Americans evenly divided over Maduro removal, poll finds | Donald Trump News

One in three Americans oppose the kidnapping of the Venezuelan leader by U.S. forces, according to a poll, while others are unsure.

Americans are also divided in their support for the American military operation aimed at to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, according to an opinion poll.

Thirty-three percent of Americans support removing Maduro, compared to 34 percent who oppose it and 32 percent who are unsure, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday.

Supporters of President Donald Trump’s Republican Party are much more likely to support the military operation, with 65% of them in favor, compared to 11% of Democrats and 23% of independents.

On the question of who should govern Venezuela, Americans oppose Washington taking control of the country, according to the poll.

Forty-three percent oppose Washington ruling Venezuela until a new government is established in Caracas, compared with 34 percent in favor and 20 percent who are unsure.

Americans favor stationing U.S. troops in Venezuela — 47 percent to 30 percent — according to the poll.

More Americans also oppose the Trump administration’s takeover of Venezuela’s oil fields, with 46% against the idea and 30% in favor.

Asked whether the United States might get “too involved” in the Latin American country, 72 percent are very or somewhat concerned.

Trump said Saturday that the United States would “run” Venezuela, although his administration officials sought to downplay the prospect of Washington occupying the country.

On Sunday, Trump threatened further military action against Venezuela if it “doesn’t behave.”

Maduro, who was kidnapped in a US special forces raid over the weekend, appeared in court for the first time on Monday to face charges related to “narcoterrorism”, drug trafficking and weapons possession.

Maduro has pleaded not guilty to all charges, saying he is a kidnapping victim and an “honest man.”

“I am still president of my country,” Maduro said through an interpreter outside a U.S. federal court in New York.

Maduro, his wife, Cilia Flores, their son Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra and three others face life in prison if convicted.

On Monday, Maduro’s deputy, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president.

“I come with pain following the kidnapping of two heroes held hostage: President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores,” Rodriguez said during an inauguration ceremony at Venezuela’s National Assembly.