
Costs of War Project Tallies $4.7B for US Western Hemisphere Campaigns
A Brown University Costs of War Project analysis, shared with The Intercept, estimates the U.S. has spent at least $4.7 billion on Operations Absolute Resolve (Venezuela-focused) and Southern Spear (caribbean/drug-boat strikes) in the Western Hemisphere from August 2025 to March 31, 2026. The largest share—about $3.8 billion—covers a major naval deployment, with daily ship costs near $9 million and roughly $2.6 million daily for around 20 aircraft; munitions costs for boat strikes range from $12.5 million to $50 million. The report also cites approximately 200 Special Operations forces costing about $16 million and 53 attacks resulting in over 180 civilian deaths. Data gaps and ongoing operations mean the figure is likely a conservative undercount, and officials have declined to provide a full budget tally.








