DOGE announced the cancellation of a $903,811 grant for alpaca farming; however, the only grant documented by the IAF was $275,510. Confusion surrounds the source of DOGE’s figure, as the IAF only supports one alpaca farming project in Peru. Inquiries into the matter are ongoing, reflecting the necessity for transparent government financial reporting.
The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) was awarded a $275,510 grant in 2023 to support alpaca farmers in Peru by a local association. An order from U.S. President Donald Trump in March 2025 led to dramatic restructuring within the IAF, reducing its staff to one person and resulting in the cancelation of several grants. Following this action, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced the termination of a supposed $903,811 grant for alpaca farming, raising questions about the accuracy of that figure.
Public records show that the only grant awarded to the Peruvian association, Artesanos Asociados Sumac Pallay Sibayo (AASUPASI), is indeed the $275,510 grant. This finding contrasts with DOGE’s assertion of a $903,811 funding amount, with no clear source for their figure. As of the current date, $161,165 of this grant has been disbursed.
The IAF clarified that AASUPASI is a women-led Collagua Indigenous association, focusing on enhancing the resilience of smallholder alpaca farmers and artisans in the Arequipa region. Despite additional funding referred to as “counterpart commitment,” which totaled $518,405, this still does not account for DOGE’s claimed grant amount. The IAF maintains a single grant to AASUPASI, underscoring its focused support for this unique farming initiative.
With inquiries ongoing regarding the origins of DOGE’s figures, there remains uncertainty about the reported grant amount. The IAF, established by Congress in 1969, reported a $60 million budget for 2024 and detailed its support for a total of 426 projects in 2023. This scrutiny underlines the need for clarity in the government’s financial reporting and grant allocation processes.
In summary, the claim by DOGE regarding a canceled $903,811 grant for alpaca farming is called into question by the IAF’s accurate documentation of a far smaller grant. The primary financial support for AASUPASI amounts to $275,510, alongside additional funding not directly related to the alleged total. This situation highlights the importance of verification in government communications and the need for clear accountability in grant dispersals.
Original Source: www.snopes.com
