Brown estimates at least $4.7 billion for Venezuela, Caribbean and eastern Pacific operations

Reporting and findings

1. estimate

   Hanna Homestead and Jennifer Kavanagh estimated at least $4.7 billion for Operations Southern Spear and Absolute Resolve from August 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026. The partial estimate includes naval, aircraft, special operations, ancillary raid and vessel-strike costs, and excludes long-term veterans benefits.

   • Brown University Costs of War: Budgetary Costs of U.S. Military Operations in Venezuela, the Caribbean, and the Eastern Pacific, August 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026Opening findings and component list
2. reported

   Homestead and Kavanagh report that Trump authorized Operation Absolute Resolve after the 2025 military buildup around Venezuela.

   • Brown University Costs of War: Budgetary Costs of Operations in Venezuela and Caribbean (full paper)Pages 1–2, operation origins and authorization