The U.S. has drastically cut foreign aid supporting democracy in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, canceling most programs by the International Republican Institute. Leaders warn of dire consequences for opposition efforts, and many employees face layoffs. The cuts coincide with worsening repression of religious freedoms, especially in Nicaragua.
The United States has made significant reductions to its foreign aid programs in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, which are nations widely considered to be governed by authoritarian regimes. This decision cuts funding for initiatives designed to support political prisoners, opposition activists, and religious organizations. The State Department has concluded that these programs do not serve the national interest, as reported by Havana Times on March 6, referencing the report from Confidencial.
Consequently, the International Republican Institute (IRI) has had 92 out of 95 programs in the region canceled. The three remaining programs focused on Venezuela have been temporarily halted following an executive order from former President Donald Trump that suspends foreign aid funding for a duration of 90 days. This development leaves the future of IRI uncertain, as organizational leaders communicated to congressional staff that without financial support, their ability to operate could end imminently.
Daniel Twining, president of IRI, expressed concerns about the implications of such cuts, stating, “cuts to democracy promotion would only benefit dictators in places like Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.” Alongside these program cancellations, 175 additional IRI programs globally are facing uncertainty due to funding dependencies on the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which has been unable to access its allocated government funds.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI), IRI’s counterpart in democracy promotion, is similarly affected, having lost funding for nearly 100 initiatives, with only one active program remaining in Venezuela. As a result of these cuts, many employees across IRI, NED, and NDI have been placed on leave or dismissed, illustrating the broader impact of the funding reductions.
These cancellations align with increasing repression of religious freedoms and political dissent in Nicaragua. President Daniel Ortega’s government has intensified its targeting of the Catholic Church. Reports include the expulsion of religious sisters, the exile of bishops, and restrictions on priests from administering Last Rites in hospitals, further indicating a troubling trend for religious and political rights in the region.
In summary, the United States has significantly reduced its foreign aid aimed at promoting democracy in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, resulting in the cancellation of numerous programs by the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute. This decision adversely affects the prospects for political prisoners and opposition groups in these countries, while contributing to ongoing repression of religious freedoms, particularly in Nicaragua. The cuts raise concerns about the future of democracy in these authoritarian-controlled nations.
Original Source: catholicvote.org
