The U.S. has cut foreign aid supporting democracy in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, ending funding for programs aiding political prisoners and activists. This resulted in the cancellation of 92 out of 95 IRI programs, with funding cuts threatening the organization’s survival. Similar impacts are seen in NDI, while oppression of political opposition grows in Nicaragua.
The United States has significantly reduced its foreign aid aimed at promoting democracy in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, ceasing funding for essential programs that supported political prisoners and opposition groups. According to a report by Confidencial translated by Havana Times, the State Department found these initiatives did not align with the “national interest.”
This decision has resulted in the cancellation of 92 out of 95 International Republican Institute (IRI) programs, with only three remaining programs focused on Venezuela temporarily on hold following an executive order by President Donald Trump. The funding cuts have jeopardized IRI’s future, with organizational leaders communicating to congressional staff that survival is becoming increasingly challenging without financial support.
IRI President Daniel Twining indicated during a call that such cuts to democracy-promoting efforts would favor dictatorships in these countries. Additionally, 175 other IRI projects globally face similar funding uncertainties due to the National Endowment for Democracy’s (NED) lack of access to its allocated government funds.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI), IRI’s counterpart, is experiencing parallel funding disruptions, having lost support for nearly 100 programs. Many employees at IRI, NED, and NDI have been furloughed or let go, highlighting the impact of these funding withdrawals.
These cuts occur alongside an environment of increasing oppression of political opposition and religious freedom in Nicaragua, where President Daniel Ortega’s administration has targeted religious institutions, leading to the expulsion of religious leaders and restrictions on practices, as previously reported by CatholicVote.
The U.S. decision to cut foreign aid aimed at democracy promotion in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela poses significant risks for political opposition and religious freedom in these regions. The cessation of funding for the International Republican Institute and similar organizations could bolster authoritarian regimes. As more employees lose their jobs and programs close, the overall effectiveness of international democracy promotion efforts is now severely compromised.
Original Source: catholicvote.org
