The U.S. has significantly cut foreign aid aimed at promoting democracy in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, cancelling 92 of 95 programs by the International Republican Institute and jeopardizing numerous initiatives reliant on the National Endowment for Democracy, amidst growing oppression in these regions.
The United States has markedly reduced its foreign aid initiatives in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, nations perceived as under authoritarian control. Funding for programs supporting political prisoners, opposition activists, and religious organizations has been cut, as the State Department deemed them not aligned with the national interest, as reported by Havana Times on March 6 based on Confidencial’s findings.
This decisive action has led to the termination of 92 out of 95 programs previously administered by the International Republican Institute (IRI) in these regions. The remaining three programs, focused on Venezuela, remain on hold due to President Donald Trump’s executive order, which suspends foreign aid funding for a duration of 90 days.
Consequently, the IRI’s future is precarious, with leaders warning congressional staff, particularly from Florida, that the organization may not endure without funding, projecting a survival period of merely weeks. IRI President Daniel Twining stated that “cuts to democracy promotion would only benefit dictators in places like Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.”
The aid cuts also jeopardize 175 other IRI initiatives globally that depend on funding from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which is currently unable to access its allocated government funds. Similarly, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) has lost funding for close to 100 programs, retaining only one active program in Venezuela.
Personnel involved in these programs, including those from IRI, NED, and NDI, are facing considerable upheaval, with some employees placed on leave, while others have lost their positions entirely. This reduction in aid comes in the wake of increasing suppression of religious freedom and political dissent in Nicaragua, where President Daniel Ortega’s regime has actively targeted the Catholic Church and forced religious organizations to cease operations within the country.
In summary, the United States has significantly curtailed its foreign aid to Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, resulting in substantial program cancellations. The repercussions of these cuts cast a shadow on the future of democracy promotion initiatives in the region, leaving many organizations, such as the IRI and NDI, facing significant operational challenges. Moreover, the ongoing political repression in Nicaragua raises concerns about the implications of such funding reductions on democratic principles and religious freedom.
Original Source: catholicvote.org
