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A survey by The Economist and the firm Premise, conducted between January 9 and January 13, 2026, reveals that an overwhelming majority of Venezuelans support the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces and demand the immediate convening of presidential elections.
According to the study, 80% of respondents within Venezuela support the operation that resulted in the fall of the dictator, while only 13% oppose it.
More than half of the participants also assert that their opinion of the United States has improved following the intervention, which many interpret as the end of a period of repression and economic collapse.
The survey, based on 600 interviews conducted via a mobile application and weighted by age and gender, shows a shift in the national mood.
Almost four out of five Venezuelans believe that the political situation in the country will improve in the coming year, and a similar proportion trusts that their family economy will also get better.
The demand for democracy is overwhelming: two-thirds of those surveyed believe that a new presidential election should be held, and among them, 91% think that the elections should take place within less than a year.
The majority, 68%, request that the voting take place within a maximum of six months, while 20% suggest waiting between six and twelve months.
Only a minority, less than 10%, suggests postponing them beyond eighteen months.
Venezuelans also expressed their position on the American presence in the country. Almost half were in favor of some form of governance or oversight by the United States during the transition process, compared to just 18% who expressed their disagreement.
Regarding the future of oil, Venezuelan society appears divided: 32% believe the industry should remain under the control of the national government, 27% prefer it to be transferred to private hands, and 25% support the idea of the United States temporarily taking over its management.
On the political front, the survey confirms the leadership of the opposition. María Corina Machado leads in voting intention with around 45%, followed by Edmundo González with 15%.
Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president following Maduro's downfall, barely garners 10% support, while Henrique Capriles hovers around 5%, and the remaining candidates fall into the "others" category, accounting for about 25%.
The study also measured the public image of key political figures, and the results are revealing.
Donald Trump, the driving force behind the operation that overthrew Maduro, is the politician with the highest approval rating among Venezuelans: about 55% have a favorable opinion of him. Secretary of State Marco Rubio follows closely with nearly 50% support.
In contrast, the Chavista leaders have very low approval ratings: Delcy Rodríguez barely reaches 13%, while Diosdado Cabello and General Vladimir Padrino López remain in single digits.
The Economist interprets the results as a sign of optimism after years of despair.
The capture of Maduro, the publication notes, has been perceived by the majority of Venezuelans as a liberation rather than a foreign intervention.
However, it warns that the challenge for the Trump administration will be to respond to the demand for a real and rapid democratic transition, as enthusiasm could turn into frustration if elections are delayed or if Washington is perceived as an occupying power.
Nevertheless, the survey makes one fact clear: Venezuela, after more than a decade of authoritarianism, hunger, and mass exodus, wants to reclaim democracy as soon as possible.
And this time, an overwhelming majority of the country seems ready to demand it.
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