U.S. Foreign Aid Reduction Threatens Democracy Promotion in Latin America
The United States has significantly cut foreign aid focused on promoting democracy in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, canceling 92 out of 95 programs run by the International Republican Institute. This shift leaves the future of similar organizations uncertain while religious and political freedoms face increasing repression in these nations.
The United States has drastically reduced its foreign aid initiatives in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, where authoritarian regimes are in power. Funding that supported political prisoners, activists, and religious groups has been eliminated, as the State Department deemed these programs contrary to the national interest, as reported by Havana Times’s March 6 translation of Confidencial’s report.
This policy change has led to the discontinuation of 92 out of 95 programs previously managed by the International Republican Institute (IRI) in these regions. The remaining three programs focused on Venezuela have been suspended following President Donald Trump’s executive order that halted foreign aid for 90 days.
The future of IRI is now precarious; its leaders informed congressional representatives from Florida, which hosts significant Cuban, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan populations, that without funding, the organization could only sustain operations for a few more weeks. IRI President Daniel Twining noted that “cuts to democracy promotion would only benefit dictators in places like Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.”
Moreover, 175 additional IRI programs worldwide could also face instability as they depend on financing from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which has been unable to tap into its allocated government funds. The National Democratic Institute (NDI), which parallels IRI in promoting democracy, has similarly lost funding for nearly 100 programs, maintaining just one in Venezuela.
Staff associated with these programs, including members from IRI, NED, and NDI, are experiencing job uncertainty, with many being placed on leave or losing their positions entirely, as reported by Havana Times. These funding cancellations occur amid increasing suppression of religious freedom and political dissent in Nicaragua, where President Daniel Ortega’s regime has targeted the Catholic Church, expelling religious entities and prohibiting priests from administering final rites in hospitals.
In summary, the United States has significantly curtailed its foreign aid aimed at promoting democracy in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, a decision described as contrary to national interests. The reduction has led to the cancellation of numerous programs by the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute, jeopardizing their operations and leaving many employees in a state of uncertainty. The political landscape in these countries is increasingly oppressive, particularly towards religious organizations, compounding challenges for opposition groups and the promotion of democracy.
Original Source: catholicvote.org
