More than six in ten Americans believe that drugs cause more deaths than gun violence, and a similar proportion considers that Nicolás Maduro's government in Venezuela is involved in drug trafficking, according to the results of the latest survey from December of the Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll, conducted in collaboration with the Harvard Kennedy School's American Political Studies Center (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX firms.
Sixty-four percent of respondents believed that drugs cause more deaths per year than firearms (36%). Among Republicans, this perception is even stronger at 77%, compared to 50% of Democrats and 66% of independents.
Regarding Venezuela's connection to drug trafficking, 65% of Americans believe that Maduro's government is actively involved in the illegal drug trade, a view shared by 78% of Republican voters, 56% of Democrats, and 59% of independents.
Support for tough measures against drug trafficking
The study also reveals that 67% of Americans support the U.S. government destroying vessels transporting drugs from South America to the country, compared to 33% who oppose it. Among Republicans, support for this measure is overwhelming (91%), while among Democrats it is nearly split (49% in favor and 51% against).
Furthermore, 63% of participants believe that the drug-laden boats destroyed by the U.S. military were "appropriately attacked."
Despite the strong support for anti-drug operations, the majority of respondents (62%) prefer that vessels be intercepted rather than sunk. Only 38% believe they should be destroyed. The difference between parties is again significant: 78% of Democrats favor interception, compared to 60% of Republicans who opt for sinking.
The survey also addressed an incident in which a drug traffickers' boat was attacked twice with missiles, which could have resulted in the deaths of survivors from the first attack. In this case, 54% of respondents deemed the second attack "incorrect," while 46% justified it as a legitimate military action.
The Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll survey reflects a growing consensus in American public opinion: drugs are seen as a greater threat than firearms, and many associate drug trafficking with authoritarian regimes in the region, especially that of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.
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