Summary
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that most U.S. adults do not support the military killing suspected drug traffickers without a legal process. The Trump administration has conducted drone strikes against alleged drug traffickers, which has faced criticism from both U.S. lawmakers and Latin American leaders.
Key Facts
- Most U.S. adults (51%) oppose military killings of suspected drug traffickers without judicial involvement.
- 29% of Americans support these military actions without a court's involvement.
- There is a split in opinion along party lines: 58% of Republicans support the approach, while only 8% of Democrats do.
- Since early September, the U.S. has conducted at least 20 drone strikes, killing about 80 people alleged to be drug traffickers.
- President Trump may expand these strikes to land targets.
- The strikes have coincided with military buildup in regions near Venezuela.
- 46% of Americans approve of labeling drug cartels as foreign terrorist groups, which could allow military action.
- The poll was conducted with 1,200 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.
