In the days following the capture and extradition of President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela entered a period of rapid transition, one defined by political change, economic pressure, and uncertainty.

To better understand how Venezuelans are experiencing this moment in real time, Culmen International, in collaboration with The Economist, deployed its data collection capability, Premise—a mobile-based platform that enables rapid, on-the-ground data collection across global populations—to gather direct insights from respondents across the country.

Our results provide a real-time snapshot of public sentiment during a critical inflection point.

The immediate reaction to Maduro’s capture is measurable.

A majority of respondents (52%) report that they agree with the United States’ role in capturing Maduro, while 35% neither agree nor disagree and 13% disagree.  Our findings indicate broad awareness of the event, alongside a notable portion of respondents who remain neutral.

Beyond the political headline, our data points to a more consistent underlying dynamic: economic instability continues to shape how Venezuelans assess both current conditions and future outlook.

Even amid a significant political development, economic concerns outweigh issues related to personal safety or political unrest, reinforcing the central role of economic conditions in shaping public sentiment.

Perceptions of leadership further reflect this dynamic.

Survey results show higher levels of favorability toward external and opposition figures, while Venezuelan government officials receive comparatively low levels of support. At the same time, respondents identify the United States as a key actor influencing Venezuela’s future, highlighting the perceived role of external stakeholders during this period.

Confidence in institutions remains limited.

Our data reflects low trust in both national and local authorities, indicating that changes in leadership have not yet translated into broader institutional confidence.

The effects of recent events are also reflected in daily life.

Respondents report disruptions to routine activities, particularly in transportation, illustrating how political developments are impacting mobility and access in the near term.

Looking ahead, our data suggests a complex but measured outlook. Most respondents do not anticipate leaving the country within the next six months, indicating limited short-term migration intent. At the same time, preferences around foreign policy point toward interest in balanced international relationships, including closer alignment with Western democracies, though uncertainty remains regarding future direction.

Regional Perspective: How Neighboring Countries View the Situation

While our data captures sentiment within Venezuela, additional survey data collected in Brazil and Colombia highlights how the situation is being perceived across the region.

Using the Premise platform, 1,200 surveys were conducted between January 5–8, 2026 in Brazil and Colombia to assess awareness, concern, and expectations related to Venezuela’s evolving political landscape.

Awareness of recent events is widespread, with approximately half of respondents indicating they are very aware of developments in Venezuela. At the same time, a large majority (82%) describe the situation as unstable, though some respondents—particularly in Brazil—indicate that conditions may be improving.

Concern about regional impact is also high. Most respondents (87%) express concern about the humanitarian situation, and 80% agree that events in Venezuela directly affect their country. Migration emerges as a key issue, particularly among respondents in Colombia, while Brazilian respondents are more likely to identify economic impacts as their primary concern.

Across both countries, there is strong agreement on the importance of international coordination, with 90% of respondents indicating it is critical to regional security. Despite these concerns, our data also reflects a degree of optimism, with 75% of respondents expressing a positive outlook for Venezuela’s future, even as many anticipate potential impacts on regional stability in the near term.

This analysis is based on a non-probability sample collected through the Premise mobile application. Participation depends on respondents having access to and choosing to engage with the platform, which may introduce sampling bias.

Our data reflects a population that is actively engaged with current developments while continuing to prioritize economic stability and day-to-day conditions. As Venezuela moves through this transition, these factors remain central to how events are experienced and understood on the ground.