In a significant move, the Trump administration has announced the elimination of $60 billion in foreign aid, following years of allegations of corruption within the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This decision comes after Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele publicly exposed how USAID funds were being diverted to support opposition groups in his country, despite his high approval ratings.
In 2021, Bukele revealed that USAID had redirected funds intended for his administration to communist movements, sparking widespread criticism. His claims were later corroborated by an audit conducted by the Trump administration, which found substantial evidence of mismanagement and corruption within USAID. As a result, the administration has terminated 5,800 out of 6,200 USAID contracts worldwide, marking a drastic reduction in U.S. foreign assistance programs.
This move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to overhaul U.S. foreign aid policies, which have been criticized for inefficiency and political meddling. The cuts have been met with mixed reactions globally, with some leaders welcoming the reduction in U.S. influence, while others fear the humanitarian consequences of such drastic cuts.
New data indicates that the majority of USAID’s efforts were focused on health and humanitarian aid, with significant allocations for food assistance, vaccines, and disease prevention. However, critics argue that these essential programs are now at risk due to the administration’s swift and comprehensive cuts.
The situation has also drawn international attention, with authoritarian leaders in countries like Russia and Hungary expressing support for the reduction in U.S. aid, which they view as a threat to their authority. Meanwhile, human rights organizations have condemned the move, warning of severe consequences for democracy and human rights initiatives worldwide.
