The IAF granted $275,510 to support alpaca farmers in Peru, while DOGE claimed a cancellation of a $903,811 grant. The IAF confirmed that it did not issue grants totaling that figure, as it only supported AASUPASI’s project. The source of DOGE’s figure is unclear, and the inquiry for clarification is ongoing.
The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) awarded a $275,510 grant to a Peruvian organization advocating for alpaca farmers. In March 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), following a directive from President Trump, dismissed the IAF’s staff to one employee and revoked multiple grants. However, the IAF confirmed that it only administered one grant to the organization, contrary to DOGE’s reported figure of $903,811.
The origins of DOGE’s asserted $903,811 amount remain uncertain. An inquiry directed to the department for clarification is pending response. Pertinently, DOGE stated that this canceled grant was first communicated through social media platforms where users raised concerns.
The grant in question, meant to benefit Artesanos Asociados Sumac Pallay Sibayo (AASUPASI), is the sole record for alpaca farming support. Current expenditures indicate that $161,165 of the $275,510 grant had already been disbursed prior to the reported cancellation. The claim of $903,811 was not reflected in DOGE’s financial disclosures and is therefore classified as partially true, false, and indeterminate.
According to the IAF, AASUPASI is a women-led Indigenous association that bolsters small-scale alpaca farmers in Arequipa’s highlands. The agency stated that the project aims to enhance the resilience of these communities and support their textile crafts. In addition to the IAF’s grant, the project benefited from a $518,405 counterpart commitment, the source and definition of which require further clarification from the IAF.
In conclusion, while DOGE reported a cancellation of a grant for alpaca farming in Peru amounting to $903,811, factual records show that the only grant issued was for $275,510 to AASUPASI. The discrepancies involving this higher figure remain unresolved, leading to confusion surrounding the legitimacy of DOGE’s claim. Notably, AASUPASI continues to develop initiatives to support regional alpaca farmers, with additional funding obtained from other commitments.
Original Source: www.snopes.com
