The U.S. has significantly reduced foreign aid in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, terminating most democracy promotion programs. The IRI warns of its impending financial crisis, while similar organizations face funding uncertainties. These cuts coincide with increased repression of religious freedoms and political dissent in Nicaragua.
The United States has dramatically reduced its foreign aid in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, particularly affecting initiatives aimed at promoting democracy and supporting oppressed groups. This strategic cutback has involved the termination of 92 out of 95 programs previously coordinated by the International Republican Institute (IRI), with only three programs currently addressing Venezuela on hold due to an executive order by President Donald Trump.
The future of the International Republican Institute (IRI) appears bleak as its leadership has indicated, during discussions with congressional staff from Florida, that the absence of funding could threaten its survival within weeks. IRI President Daniel Twining emphasized that halting democracy promotion efforts would only strengthen authoritarian regimes in these nations.
Meanwhile, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has also suspended funding for 175 IRI programs operational globally, leading to a precarious situation for various organizations advocating for democracy, including the National Democratic Institute (NDI), which has lost funding for nearly 100 of its programs.
The cancellation of these initiatives coincides with increased repression of religious freedoms and political dissent in Nicaragua, particularly under President Daniel Ortega’s regime. Numerous violations include the targeting of the Catholic Church, forcing religious organizations to leave, and imposing restrictions on the administration of religious rites by priests.
In conclusion, the substantial reduction of U.S. foreign aid for democracy promotion in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela raises significant concerns about the support for political prisoners and opposition activists. The imminent financial crises faced by organizations like the IRI and NDI, coupled with the worsening repression of civil liberties in these countries, underscore the precarious state of democracy in the region.
Original Source: catholicvote.org
