The air strikes on alleged drug smugglers off the coast of Venezuela have been going on for months now, and revelations on second strikes, the release of supposed drug dealers, and multiple explanations of events have kept the news cycle going. Americans, as usual, are divided on how they feel about the Administration’s approach. Overall, Americans approve of 48% of the policy, and disapprove of 52%. Not surprisingly, Republicans are more supportive than Democrats, but even Republicans are not fully on board with the approach, disapproving of 30% of how the policy is being enacted. 

Also of note is that when asked what percentage of the boats being targeted are likely drug dealers, Americans are guessing that about 60% of the boats targeted are indeed trying to bring narcotics to the US. Even Trump supporters do not feel the attacks are perfect, with 20% of the boats, in their estimation, being incorrectly bombed. 

Key takeaways:

• 🐘🐘Partisanship is the biggest driver, but gender also has an effect: Republican men and women are the deepest into the upper right quadrant (stronger support for the policy and stronger belief in the attacks being correctly targeted). Independent men are just barely in the same quadrant as Republicans, while Independent women are in the upper left quadrant (less support, but a belief that a majority of the strikes are hitting the intended targets). 
• ⛔🚫 No demographic cohorts are in the bottom right quadrant: While there are individuals who put themselves in the more cynical set of viewpoints (strong support, but a belief that a majority of the bombings are off target), none of the demographic groups as a whole end up in this space. 
• ➗➗ Absent partisanship views are pretty similar: Saying we are a divided country is not exactly a shocking statement, but it is surprising to see how closely all other cohorts are on this issue, and the views on the correct targeting.