Why Venezuelan Public Opinion on Trump Has Reversed

PoliticsWhy Venezuelans are Souring on Trump

TL;DR

Trump's initial military intervention in Venezuela to remove Maduro was popular, but his approval has plummeted from 92% to 47% as the replacement government fails to deliver economic reforms and most oil revenues bypass ordinary Venezuelans.

Key Takeaways

1Trump's 2025 Venezuela operation initially had 92% approval; he removed dictator Maduro and installed Deli Rodriguez with minimal casualties
2Maduro had devastated Venezuela's economy—GDP fell 90% from 2012–2020, causing 7.9 million people to flee and hyperinflation peaked at 350,000%
3Deli Rodriguez has stalled promised democratic reforms, releasing no new political prisoners and filling cabinet vacancies with her own loyalists rather than reformers
4Oil revenues have surged 70% this year due to relaxed US sanctions, yet most money flows to the US Treasury with minimal distribution back to Venezuela
5Trump's approval rating collapsed nearly 30 points to 47% by May 2025 as Venezuelans saw no economic improvement despite rising oil wealth
6Trump used Venezuela as his template for regime change operations in Iran, but ultimately capitulated when Iran's leadership remained intact

Notable Quotes

“What we did in Venezuela, I think, is the perfect the perfect scenario.”
— Donald Trump (to New York Times)

“I have to be involved in the next appointment like with Deli in Venezuela.”
— Donald Trump (to Axios)

“I'm polling higher than anybody has ever pled in Venezuela. So after I'm finished with this, I can go to Venezuela. I will quickly learn Spanish. It won't take too long.”
— Donald Trump

Chapters

1. Trump's Venezuela Template and Iran Ambitions

Trump repeatedly cited his Venezuela operation as a model for regime change in Iran, telling media outlets it was 'the perfect scenario' and threatening to seize Iranian oil infrastructure. However, Trump ultimately backtracked on these threats after Iran's regime consolidated power.

2. Why Venezuela Initially Supported the Intervention

Maduro's 13-year rule devastated Venezuela—GDP collapsed 90%, hyperinflation hit 350,000%, and 7.9 million fled the country. Polls showed over 50% support for the operation against Maduro, and Trump's approval reached 92% as Venezuelans expected political and economic improvement.

3. The Transition Under Deli Rodriguez

After extracting Maduro without US casualties, Trump installed Deli Rodriguez as the new leader. She initially released political prisoners and purged Maduro loyalists, earning praise. However, progress stalled as she filled new cabinet positions with her own allies instead of reformers.

4. Failed Economic Reform and Missing Oil Revenues

Despite oil production surging from 900,000 to 1.3 million barrels daily and revenues up 70%, Venezuela's economy remains stagnant with 500% annual inflation. Under the Trump-Deli agreement, most oil money flows to the US Treasury, which has only returned $500 million to Venezuela.

5. Collapse in Trump's Venezuelan Popularity

Trump's approval rating plummeted from 92% to 47% by May 2025 as Venezuelans realized promised reforms weren't materializing and oil wealth wasn't benefiting ordinary citizens. Without meaningful US attention to Venezuela's political and economic recovery, further deterioration is likely.

Key People & Entities

Nicolás Maduro: Former Venezuelan president whose authoritarian rule caused economic collapse; removed in 2025 Trump military operation
Deli Rodriguez: Installed as Venezuela's new leader after Maduro's removal; former vice president, initially promised reforms now stalled
María Corina Machado: Venezuelan opposition leader; likely would win elections if democracy were restored
Ysef Abu Nasifi: Business partner of Deli Rodriguez; part of new oligarchic class replacing Maduro's cronies
Donald Trump: US President; orchestrated 2025 Venezuela intervention and used it as template for Iran regime change attempts

Glossary

Regime change: The removal of a ruling government and its replacement with a new one, typically through military intervention
Hyperinflation: Extremely rapid inflation where the value of currency declines dramatically, eroding purchasing power
Democratic backsliding: The gradual erosion of democratic institutions, freedoms, and governance standards under authoritarian leadership
Barrels per day: A measure of oil production volume; Venezuela increased from 900,000 to 1.3 million barrels daily
US sanctions relief: The easing of economic restrictions imposed by the US on foreign countries, in this case allowing Venezuelan oil exports to resume

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