An exclusive survey by The Economist released on Tuesday reveals that, following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the most popular political figures in Venezuela are Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, and María Corina Machado.
Conducted by the American firm Premise, the poll indicates a significant shift in Venezuelans' perceptions of international and opposition leadership.
According to the study, shared on social media by journalist Orlando Avendaño, Trump leads the popularity rankings by a large margin, followed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and opposition leader María Corina Machado.
Edmundo González Urrutia, who ran as the unified opposition candidate in the 2024 presidential elections, ranks fourth.
The survey highlights the political impact of the January 3rd U.S. military operation, which resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in Caracas.
While the intervention's onset initially instilled fear among the populace, The Economist's data suggests that most Venezuelans now feel relieved and hopeful after the fall of the Chavista regime.
"From Caracas, the initial moments of January 3rd were terrifying: bombs, helicopters, and chaos. But fear quickly turned to joy," the report from The Economist describes.
The publication asserts that Venezuelans, even those within the country, "are quite pleased with the dramatic turn of events."
Regarding internal appraisal, the survey highlights that Rubio and Machado have strong and sustained favorability, particularly due to their active roles in the democratic transition and opposition coordination.
From Washington, Rubio has been a key architect of the new U.S. policy towards Venezuela, while Machado remains a pivotal figure in the civil reorganization process following the Chavista regime's collapse.
Analysts interpret these results as a sign of Venezuela's shifting political paradigm, where public trust appears to have gravitated towards figures associated with institutional rebuilding and cooperation with the United States.
The survey further emphasizes the complete loss of legitimacy of the Chavista apparatus and the solidification of a narrative centered on democratic transition.
"For the first time in over two decades, the majority of Venezuelans express a positive outlook towards foreign leaders who played a direct role in the downfall of Chavismo," the report concludes.
Key Insights on Venezuela's Political Landscape
Who are the most popular political figures in Venezuela according to The Economist?
The survey by The Economist identifies Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, and María Corina Machado as the most popular political figures in Venezuela.
What was the impact of the U.S. military operation on Venezuelan public opinion?
The U.S. military operation initially caused fear but ultimately led to feelings of relief and hope among most Venezuelans after the fall of the Chavista regime.
How have Marco Rubio and María Corina Machado contributed to Venezuela's political transition?
Marco Rubio has played a significant role in shaping U.S. policy towards Venezuela, while María Corina Machado has been instrumental in coordinating the democratic opposition and civil reorganization.