Venezuelans hold signs and flags in a demonstration. Photo: EFE.
A recent national survey by Dataviva reveals that the Venezuelan people are united in their defense of their national sovereignty. The poll, conducted between September 1 and 15, also shows a notable increase in affinity toward Venezuela’s constitutional president, Nicolás Maduro, attributed to his handling of recent US aggression.
The pollster’s study reveals that nearly nine out of ten citizens (89%) believe that Venezuela is a sovereign country that cannot be threatened by any foreign power. Only 11% disagreed with this statement.
The results confirm that the defense of sovereignty represents a point of convergence among the majority of the Venezuelan population, transcending traditional political divisions.
Regarding the motivations behind the US attacks, 88.9% of those surveyed interpreted these actions as an attempt by US President Donald Trump to promote a change of government and the overthrow of President Maduro. In contrast, only 11.1% considered these measures an effort to combat drug trafficking.
The defensive disposition of citizens also registers significant figures: 77% of those surveyed stated that they would be willing to defend the country against possible foreign aggression, while 23% did not show the same willingness or avoided commenting on the issue.
Oil as the central axis of the conflict
Despite Trump’s claims that military action against Venezuela is aimed at curbing drug trafficking, 91% of respondents believe the real motive is to seize control of the country’s vast oil reserves.
This public perception aligns with international data that refutes the US narrative about the “global fight against drug trafficking.” The 2025 World Drug Report, published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), shows that Venezuela remains free of illicit crops.
Furthermore, the report gives Venezuela minimal mention as a drug trafficking route to the United States and Europe, undermining Washington’s justification for its aggression. Most of those surveyed by Dataviva view the anti-drug justifications as a mere pretext for achieving territorial and energy control.
Evolution of internal political support
On the domestic political front, the survey documents an evolution in support for President Nicolás Maduro, which rose from 64% in August to 70% in September, an increase of six percentage points.
The poll also reflects the impact of the crisis on the perception of other political actors. Opposition leader María Corina Machado has a 92% disapproval rating among those surveyed, while Donald Trump has a 97% disapproval rating among Venezuelans.
These indicators suggest that external pressures have generated a national cohesion effect that strengthens the position of the Venezuelan government, while the image of its main adversaries, both internal and external, is deteriorating.
As part of its actions in defense of sovereignty, the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) of Venezuela began the deployment of the military exercises Caribe Soberano 200 (Sovereign Caribbean 200) in the La Orchila Archipelago last Wednesday, September 17.
“On the instructions of our Commander-in-Chief, the Constitutional President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, I hereby order the entire Caribbean Network to deploy and carry out the entire Caribbean 200 field maneuver on the island of La Orchila,” announced Venezuelan Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino López. The military maneuvers, scheduled for three days, include maritime, land, and air exercises.
A key aspect of these exercises is the integration of the Bolivarian Militia and the National Police into the operations. These forces act as a complement to the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB), strengthening the country’s response and defense capacity.
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This deployment comes amid escalating tensions. Venezuela recently reported that the US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham illegally intercepted a Venezuelan fishing vessel in the country’s territorial waters. The incident, described by Caracas as a provocation, took place on Friday, September 12 .
The fishing vessel, “Carmen Rosa,” carrying nine tuna fishermen, was boarded just 48 nautical miles northeast of La Blanquilla Island, an area within Venezuela’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Likewise, in early September, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that US military forces carried out an attack in the southern Caribbean Sea against an alleged drug vessel originating from Venezuela, heightening concerns about a potential escalation of the conflict in the region.
Training the people to defend peace
As US pressure on Venezuela intensifies, the government has activated “Plan: The People Go to the Barracks”, a national defense initiative launched by President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, September 13. The program calls on civilian volunteers to report to local military units for basic defense training, integrating them with the armed forces and the Bolivarian National Militia in joint drills. The stated goal: to prepare the population to “defend peace” amid rising tensions.
(Telesur)
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JB/DZ
