The freezing of International help From the United States to development and paralyzes several programs for the fight against drug trafficking, corruption, hunger and inequality in Latin America, where it can affect millions of people, experts and oenegés warned.
The almost total freezing of these funds, as well as the progressive dismantling of the American Development Aid (USAID) agency will mean “Many layoffs (…) and there are many communities that are going to be affected”, He estimated Juana García DuqueProfessor in International Cooperation at the University of Los Andes, in Bogotá.
The expert mentioned that these aids in the region benefit “Millions of people”
In fiscal year 2023, as in 2024, USAID disbursed about US $ 1.7 billion in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the latest figures in Foreignssianncewebsite that publishes the data of the international aid of the United States. With these funds, the Oenegés Finance Agency, Public Institutions and United Nations programs.
Colombia, prey to drug trafficking violence, and Haiti, of gangs, are the main beneficiary nations. It is followed by several countries in Central America that are among the poorest in the region.
About 25% of the help of USAID For Latin America, Colombia was allocated, partly for the implementation of the Peace Agreement signed in 2016 with the extinct FARC guerrillas. The funds represent less than 1% of the GDP of that country.
But for some nations of Central America, on the other hand, the situation “It is more difficult because a large part of its economy depends on these external resources ”GARCÍA DUQUE said.
In Peruwhere Usaid finances “Food programs, anti -drugs, (of employment, environment, health and promotion of democracy. NGOs will be forced to restrict projects”In the event that the fund cut is confirmed, he estimated Susana Chávez of the feminist organization PROMSEX.
“Frightening”
In the Amazon, “Deforestation will grow, drug trafficking, illicit mining”He warned Oswaldo Muca Castizogeneral coordinator of the National Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon (Opiac).
Young people who run out of opportunities could join criminal gangs that deforest the jungle to sow coca leaf, he explains.
In Bucaramanga, northeast of Colombia, the impact was almost immediate. The Foundation between two lands, which helps without home and migrants, mostly from neighboring Venezuela, had to close.
Financed in almost 80% by USAID, he used 16 people and distributed about 600 meals every day.
“All this is paralyzed because there are no resources and the city is aggravated by the situation”, Just when she welcomes displaced from the Catatumbo region, bordering Venezuela, for clashes between guerrillas, said Alba Pereira, director of the Foundation.
“Migrants who are in pregnancy are only going to attend childbirth (…) They will not have control, access to health during pregnancy“Pereira denounced that qualifies the situation as”frightening”
US priorities
García Duque Think that this freezing of aid would only be temporary, and hopes rather, “a redirection ”.
According to the expert, the United States needs this “foreign policy tool”To attend the priorities of the anti -drug fight and against migration.
In addition, an American withdrawal could strengthen other actors, particularly China, whose growing influence in Latin America Washington wants to reduce.
Luis Linares, analyst at the Guatemala Investigation and Social Studies Association believes that “There are programs that are very important and coincident with the priorities of the United States government in the issue of security, justice”
These initiatives, which are added to food aids, remain “Key to the country” While projects related to sexual minorities “Surely they will be reduced or if not, reorient, but others will be canceled”, The analyst predicted.
Also in Guatemala, Lambda, an organization that works for the rights of LGBTQ people, had to suspend a prevention and support project for people with HIV, as well as virus detection tests.
“Open other channels”
USAIDquestioned by some Latin American governments that accuse the United States of interference and lack of transparency, is the object of new criticism for its dismantling.
In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum and her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador have accused the agency to finance “opposition groups”
“If there are going to be aid that open another type of channel”Said recently Sheinbaumwho is in favor of the agency’s closure.
Source: Gestion
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