The United States has drastically reduced foreign aid for democracy promotion in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, impacting 92 out of 95 programs by the International Republican Institute. This decision raises concerns about the sustainability of democracy support initiatives amidst growing authoritarianism in these nations.
The United States has notably reduced its foreign aid aimed at promoting democracy in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela. Funding for programs that supported political prisoners, opposition activists, and religious groups has been cut, as the State Department deemed these initiatives not in the national interest, according to a translation by Havana Times.
This reduction led to the cancellation of 92 out of the 95 programs previously executed by the International Republican Institute (IRI) in these nations. The remaining three programs focused on Venezuela were suspended following President Donald Trump’s executive order, which halted foreign aid funding for a duration of 90 days.
The future of IRI appears uncertain due to these funding cuts. During a discussion with congressional representatives from Florida, IRI leaders expressed concern about their ability to continue operating without financial support, estimating they could survive only a few more weeks without funding.
Daniel Twining, the President of IRI, remarked during this conversation that “cuts to democracy promotion would only benefit dictators in places like Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.” Alongside these cancellations, 175 other IRI programs worldwide face instability as they depend on resources from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which has been unable to access its allocated funds.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI), which operates in a similar capacity to IRI, has also encountered financial difficulties, losing funding for nearly 100 programs, with only one remaining operational in Venezuela. Consequently, numerous employees from IRI, NED, and NDI have been furloughed or have lost their roles altogether.
These aid reductions coincide with increasing suppression of religious freedom and political dissent in Nicaragua, where the government led by President Daniel Ortega has actively targeted the Catholic Church, expelling religious organizations and restricting clergy from performing essential sacraments.
In summary, the United States has significantly curtailed foreign aid to support democracy in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, with severe implications for the International Republican Institute and other organizations dedicated to promoting democratic values. This decision undermines efforts supporting opposition and religious groups within authoritarian regimes, while worsening the climate of political repression and suppression of religious freedoms in the affected countries.
Original Source: catholicvote.org
