Areas of Common Ground
Despite partisan divides, most Americans agree on these key points:
- âś“The Venezuelan people are suffering under a brutal authoritarian regime
- âś“Maduro is a dictator who has destroyed Venezuela's economy and democracy
- âś“The humanitarian crisis and refugee situation demand attention
+ 5 more areas of agreement below
What's the Challenge?
Venezuela has collapsed from South America's wealthiest nation into an authoritarian dictatorship with hyperinflation, widespread poverty, and over 7 million refugees fleeing the country. Nicolás Maduro's socialist regime has maintained power through rigged elections, political repression, and support from Cuba, Russia, and China. In recent weeks, opposition leader Edmundo González claims to have won the 2024 presidential election, with the U.S. and several Latin American countries recognizing him as the legitimate president-elect, while Maduro refuses to relinquish power. Trump has taken a harder line, with his administration recognizing González and considering stronger measures including potential military options. The crisis raises fundamental questions: What responsibility does the U.S. have to support democracy in Latin America? When, if ever, should America intervene to remove dictators? How do we balance humanitarian concerns with the lessons learned from failed regime-change operations in Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan? And what about the millions of Venezuelan refugees—many now attempting to reach the U.S. southern border?
Where Most Americans Agree
The Venezuelan people are suffering under a brutal authoritarian regime
Maduro is a dictator who has destroyed Venezuela's economy and democracy
The humanitarian crisis and refugee situation demand attention
Venezuelan refugees deserve compassion while border security remains important
China, Russia, and Cuba's support for Maduro threatens regional stability and U.S. interests
Socialist economic policies destroyed what was once Latin America's wealthiest country
The international community should support free and fair elections in Venezuela
American intervention should be carefully considered given past failures in regime change
Source: Americas Barometer, Pew Research Latin America Surveys 2024-2025
Current Perspectives from Both Sides
Understanding the full debate requires hearing what each side actually argues—not caricatures or strawmen.
Progressive Perspective
- •U.S. sanctions have worsened humanitarian suffering for ordinary Venezuelans while failing to remove Maduro
- •American regime-change operations have repeatedly failed and cost countless lives—Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan prove military intervention doesn't work
- •Support for Venezuelan democracy shouldn't mean another disastrous U.S. military invasion
- •The U.S. has historically backed right-wing dictators in Latin America—our intervention track record is terrible
- •Diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and regional multilateral approaches are better than unilateral American military action
- •We should welcome Venezuelan refugees with compassion rather than treating them as border security threats
- •U.S. economic imperialism and oil interests in Venezuela complicate our motives
Conservative Perspective
- •Maduro is a brutal socialist dictator backed by America's enemies—China, Russia, and Cuba—and must go
- •Venezuela proves socialism destroys prosperity and freedom every time it's tried
- •The Monroe Doctrine obligates America to prevent hostile foreign powers from dominating our hemisphere
- •Millions of Venezuelan refugees are destabilizing the region and flooding toward our southern border
- •Trump's strong stance and willingness to use all options shows leadership Biden lacked
- •Supporting free elections and democracy in Latin America serves American security interests
- •Maduro's regime threatens regional stability, supports drug trafficking, and harbors terrorists
- •The U.S. should support the legitimate president-elect González with all necessary means
These represent current talking points from each side of the political spectrum. Understanding both perspectives is essential for productive dialogue.
Evidence-Based Facts
Over 7.7 million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2015—one of the world's largest refugee crises
Source: UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency)
Venezuela's GDP has contracted by over 75% since 2013, with hyperinflation reaching 1,000,000% at its peak
Source: World Bank, IMF Data
The U.S., EU, and over 50 countries recognized Juan GuaidĂł as interim president in 2019, but he failed to dislodge Maduro
Source: U.S. State Department
In 2024 presidential election, opposition claims González won by a large margin based on voter tally sheets, but Maduro's regime declared itself the winner without releasing detailed results
Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves but production has collapsed under mismanagement and sanctions
Russia, China, and Iran have provided Venezuela with billions in loans, weapons, and technical support
Source: Congressional Research Service
Learn More
Council on Foreign Relations - Venezuela Crisis
Comprehensive analysis of Venezuela's political and economic collapse
Council on Foreign Relations
Human Rights Watch - Venezuela
Documentation of human rights abuses under Maduro regime
Human Rights Watch
Wilson Center - Venezuela Program
Policy research on Venezuela crisis and U.S. response options
Wilson Center
UNHCR - Venezuelan Refugee Crisis
Data and humanitarian response to Venezuelan displacement
UN Refugee Agency
Questions for Thoughtful Debate
What responsibility does the U.S. have to support democracy in Venezuela vs. respecting sovereignty?
Have U.S. sanctions helped or hurt the Venezuelan people?
When, if ever, is military intervention justified to remove a dictator?
How should the U.S. balance supporting Venezuelan democracy with avoiding another failed regime-change operation?
What's the right approach to Venezuelan refugees at the southern border?
Should the U.S. work multilaterally through regional partners or act unilaterally?
How do we counter Chinese and Russian influence in Latin America?
What lessons from Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan apply to Venezuela?
If Maduro refuses to leave despite losing the election, what should the U.S. do?
Does supporting democracy in Latin America serve American interests or represent imperialism?