The U.S. has cut foreign aid for democracy promotion in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, canceling most programs supporting political prisoners, activists, and religious groups, deemed not “in the national interest.” This has put organizations like the IRI and NDI at risk of closure, highlighting increasing suppression in these countries.
The United States has notably reduced its foreign aid aimed at promoting democracy in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, terminating funding for programs that aid political prisoners, opposition activists, and religious organizations. The State Department concluded that these initiatives were not deemed “in the national interest,” leading to significant program cancellations, particularly through the International Republican Institute (IRI).
Specifically, the U.S. canceled 92 out of 95 IRI projects in these nations, while three remaining programs in Venezuela are currently on hold following an executive order by President Donald Trump suspending aid funding for 90 days. This decision places the IRI’s viability in jeopardy, with leaders expressing concerns to congressional staff about the organization’s survival under such funding constraints.
IRI President Daniel Twining warned that reductions in democracy promotion would significantly benefit authoritarian regimes, emphasizing the consequences for nations like Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. In addition, 175 other IRI programs worldwide are threatened due to their dependence on funds from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which cannot access allocated government funds.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) faces a parallel crisis, having lost funding for nearly 100 programs, with only one remaining active initiative in Venezuela. Many employees within IRI, NED, and NDI have been placed on leave or laid off altogether as a result of these cuts. In Nicaragua, the environment for religious freedom and political opposition is deteriorating, with increasing suppression under President Daniel Ortega’s administration, which has targeted the Catholic Church.
In summary, the recent U.S. reduction in foreign aid to Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela predominantly impacts democracy-promotion initiatives and has potentially grave implications for opposition movements in those countries. The funding cuts have heightened uncertainty for organizations like the IRI and NDI, drastically reshaping the landscape for democracy support abroad. The situation underscores a broadening trend of suppression faced by religious and political entities, particularly in Nicaragua under Ortega’s regime.
Original Source: catholicvote.org
