The United States has cut foreign aid aimed at democracy promotion in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, terminating 92 of 95 programs run by the International Republican Institute. The move results from a determination that these programs do not serve the national interest. Many organizations face uncertain futures as funding cuts hinder their ability to assist political and religious activists under authoritarian regimes.
The United States has notably reduced its foreign aid aimed at promoting democracy in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, discontinuing support for programs designed to assist political prisoners, opposition activists, and religious entities. According to a report by Confidencial, as translated by Havana Times, the State Department concluded that these initiatives did not align with the national interest.
This decision has led to the cancellation of 92 out of 95 programs administered by the International Republican Institute (IRI) in these nations. The remaining three programs related to Venezuela have been placed on hold following President Donald Trump’s executive order that suspended foreign aid for a period of 90 days.
Consequently, the IRI faces an uncertain future; during a call with congressional staff from Florida, home to substantial communities from these nations, IRI leadership expressed concerns that the organization could face imminent closure without funding, with projections indicating survival for only a few more weeks. IRI President Daniel Twining remarked that “cuts to democracy promotion would only benefit dictators in places like Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.”
Moreover, 175 additional IRI programs globally have encountered funding uncertainty, relying heavily on the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which has not received its government-allocated funds. The National Democratic Institute (NDI), the corresponding organization for democratic advocacy abroad, also reports substantial funding losses, having to discontinue nearly 100 programs with just one remaining active in Venezuela.
The impact of these funding cuts has resulted in many employees associated with IRI, NED, and NDI either being placed on leave or facing termination. These cancellations arrive amidst escalating suppression of religious freedom and political dissent in Nicaragua, where President Daniel Ortega’s administration has specifically targeted the Catholic Church, forcing its organizations out of the country. CatholicVote has reported incidents of expulsion of religious personnel and restrictions on priestly conduct in hospitals.
In summary, the United States has significantly reduced its foreign aid efforts for democracy promotion in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, leading to the termination of a majority of related programs. This action has left organizations such as the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute vulnerable, jeopardizing their operations worldwide. As political repression intensifies in Nicaragua, the implications of these funding cuts could further entrench authoritarian regimes in the region.
Original Source: catholicvote.org
