Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers, said a recent survey among Colombians shows about 65% approve of the U.S. military operation to arrest Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, reflecting regional public opinion in the aftermath of the action.
“The poll, fielded just days after the capture, shows 65% of Colombians approve of the U.S. operation, with approval climbing to 81% in the Plains region,” said Cortes. “President Trump enjoys 45% approval in Colombia (disapproval 36%)—substantially higher than in many U.S. surveys and exceeding incumbent Gustavo Petro’s 39% approval. Only 25% describe current U.S.-Colombia relations as positive, yet 73% want them strengthened, and 70% say the bilateral relationship is important to their presidential vote. Insecurity and violence top concerns at 37%, followed by corruption (24%) and armed groups/narco-trafficking (17%)”
According to an X post by Cortes, this statement is linked to his article published on RealClearWorld on January 22, 2026. The article analyzes a TIPP Insights national survey conducted in Colombia from January 8 to 14, 2026, with 2,051 respondents and a margin of error of ±2.7 percent. The poll captures immediate public reactions to the U.S. arrest of Nicolás Maduro and examines attitudes toward U.S.-Colombia relations, political figures, and key voter concerns in the context of the upcoming presidential election.
Colombia continues to face persistent challenges with violence and corruption. Recent metrics show that the national homicide rate stabilized around 25 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025, while Bogotá saw a reduction to 14.8 per 100,000 following targeted security measures. On corruption, Colombia scored 39 out of 100 on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking 92nd globally and highlighting ongoing governance issues affecting regional stability and voter sentiment.
Latin America is experiencing a shift toward conservative governments, with elections in countries like Chile and Argentina resulting in leaders emphasizing security and economic reforms. This trend is driven by public dissatisfaction with crime, corruption, and slow growth, leading to increased support for right-leaning policies across the region. Globally, this movement parallels rises in populist conservatism elsewhere, potentially fostering greater hemispheric cooperation on trade and migration.
Cortes is Founder and President of League of American Workers and senior political advisor to CatholicVote. He previously served as a senior advisor to President Trump and JD Vance and has been a commentator for Fox News and CNN. Cortes regularly releases documentaries and columns at cortesinvestigates.com.
