Venezuelans Prefer US Over Cuba Despite Government's Diplomacy, Study Finds

The Venezuelan government may have a questionable relationship with the government of the United States, but that doesn't mean the people don't love America. According to a new survey by the Pew Research Center, the Venezuelan public favors the United States over Cuba, an ally and trade partner of the Latin American nation.

In the Pew Research Center’s Spring 2014 global survey, Venezuelans have a more positive attitude about the U.S. Specifically, Venezuelans (two-to-one) favor the U.S. over Cuba. In the survey, 66 percent of young Venezuelans (ages 18 - 29) and 56 percent old those aged 50 and older favored the United States. Compared to 2013, this is a nine percent jump as 53 percent of young Venezuelans reported favoring the U.S.

Ultimately, the breakdown of views can be seen in the political environment of Venezuela. Right-winged Venezuelans are more supporting of the U.S. with 84 percent harboring positive views and a mere 12 percent with negative views. But amongst the left winged Venezuelans, who are supporters of Venezuela’s socialist leader Nicolás Maduro, 62 percent disapprove of the U.S. while 34 percent approve.

In comparison, Venezuelans have a worse view of Cuba, the nation's political and economic ally. Not surprisingly, 72 percent of Venezuela's left-winged citizens see Cuba in favorable light and a mere 14 percent of the right-winged Venezuelans see Cuba the same way. Many Venezuelans resent the relationship between country and Cuba, arguing that the "Cubanization" of Venezuela is a negative thing and have even resorted to protests to speak up against Cuba's role in their government.