US Reduces Foreign Aid for Democracy Promotion in Latin America

The United States has cut foreign aid aimed at promoting democracy in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, canceling numerous programs for political prisoners and opposition activists. These reductions have raised concerns about the sustainability of relevant organizations like the IRI and NDI, with anticipated job losses and uncertain funding affecting their operations. The aid cuts coincide with increasing repression of religious freedom and political dissent in the affected countries.

The United States has significantly reduced its foreign aid initiatives aimed at promoting democracy in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, effectively terminating funding for programs that supported political prisoners, opposition activists, and religious organizations. The State Department concluded that these initiatives did not align with national interests, as reported by Havana Times on March 6, based on Confidencial’s findings.

This decision has led to the cancellation of 92 out of 95 programs managed by the International Republican Institute (IRI). While three programs related to Venezuela remain on hold following a 90-day suspension ordered by President Donald Trump, the uncertainty surrounding funding has raised serious concerns regarding the future of IRI and its ability to continue its work.

During a call with congressional staff from Florida, which has a significant population of Cuban, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan individuals, IRI leaders expressed that without funding, the organization may survive for only a few more weeks. “Cuts to democracy promotion would only benefit dictators in places like Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua,” stated IRI President Daniel Twining during this call.

Furthermore, 175 additional IRI programs worldwide are now precarious as they rely on funding from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which is facing similar funding access issues. The National Democratic Institute (NDI), IRI’s counterpart, is also experiencing a loss of nearly 100 programs, leaving only one active program in Venezuela.

Many individuals employed within these affected organizations, including IRI, NED, and NDI, have been placed on leave or lost their positions altogether, as confirmed by Havana Times. This aid reduction coincides with an increased suppression of religious freedom and political dissent in Nicaragua, where President Daniel Ortega has aggressively targeted the Catholic Church and limited the operations of religious organizations, as previously reported by CatholicVote.

In summary, the United States has drastically decreased foreign aid aimed at promoting democratic initiatives in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, thus dismantling vital support for opposition efforts. This decision has led to significant funding uncertainties for organizations like the IRI and NDI, jeopardizing their operational capabilities and leading to job losses among employees. The situation raises concerns about the implications for democracy and religious freedom in these authoritarian-regime-affected nations.

Original Source: catholicvote.org