Venezuela through the polls: Venezuelans trust Chevron more than their own president

"Venezuelans want change, but they also prioritize resolving their economic hardship first. Polling in Venezuela is generally commissioned privately, with the results circulating among corporations, investment funds, and embassies willing to pay to understand the terrain. Most never appear in the press. And not all polling firms are what they seem."

Polling in Venezuela has been difficult because expressing political opinions has been costly, leading to hidden pollsters and widespread refusal to answer. In recent months, new data has emerged showing Venezuelans caught between rapidly increasing hope and enduring distrust. Results vary by pollster, but Maria Corina Machado remains the top opposition figure across surveys. Delcy Rodriguez lacks confidence from most citizens, though about a third approve of her performance. The United States and Donald Trump have reached unusually high popularity despite decades of anti-imperialism messaging. Venezuelans want change but prioritize resolving economic hardship first. Polling is often privately commissioned and rarely published, and some firms may be created to produce government-favorable results.

Read at english.elpais.com