Trump's Military Operations in Latin America Cost $4.7 Billion

The U.S. military's interventions in Venezuela and the Caribbean have incurred costs of at least $4.7 billion, according to an analysis by Brown University’s Costs of War Project. This estimate covers operations from August 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, including air, naval, and Special Operations expenses. The Pentagon has not disclosed the financial details of these operations, prompting researchers to label their estimate as likely an undercount.

Hanna Homestead and Jennifer Kavanagh, authors of the analysis, stated, "American taxpayers, who are increasingly unable to afford basic needs, have a right to know how their tax dollars are spent." They noted that the largest expenditure, approximately $3.8 billion, was for naval deployments, the most significant since the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. The ongoing daily operating costs for these naval assets are around $9 million.

Under Operation Southern Spear, the U.S. military has conducted 53 attacks on suspected drug boats, resulting in the deaths of over 180 civilians. The Trump administration claims these targets are linked to criminal organizations but has faced criticism for the legality of these strikes. Kavanagh remarked, "Though the Trump administration is right to focus more on the Western Hemisphere, most needs in the region are economic or require investment in regional law enforcement."

The Costs of War analysis also highlighted the financial burden of the air campaign and the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, totaling over $206 million. The report indicates that the costs associated with these military operations may continue to rise as the U.S. expands its military presence in the region under what has been termed the "Trump Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine.

What to watch: The upcoming decisions regarding further military actions in Ecuador and Colombia could significantly impact U.S. military expenditures and regional stability.