Bloomberg reports that U.S. military operations in the Caribbean, which include the abduction and detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have incurred costs close to $3 billion. The military presence in the region is officially framed as a counternarcotics mission but has effectively served as a means to facilitate a power transition in Venezuela, reflecting U.S. interests in the region.

The operations began in earnest after an order from former President Donald Trump for the kidnapping of Maduro, who now faces serious federal charges in the U.S. such as narcoterrorism and cocaine importation, all of which he denies. The military has established a blockade in the southern Caribbean to enforce compliance from Venezuela's government, indicating significant U.S. involvement in the crisis and its stance on regime change in the country.

Trump's administration has expressed a commitment to leading Venezuela towards a 'judicious transition' of power, dismissing Maduro's legitimacy. The ongoing military actions and their substantial financial implications raise questions about U.S. foreign policy priorities and highlight the complexities of intervention in sovereign nations, particularly in a region with a history of U.S. influence.