US Suspends Aid to Opponents of Latin American Dictatorships

The U.S. State Department has canceled numerous foreign aid programs aimed at supporting opposition activists, political prisoners, and religious groups in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, citing a lack of alignment with national interests. Managed by the International Republican Institute, nearly all of its 95 programs were terminated, with only three related to Venezuela currently on hold. This decision has raised alarms among independent media in Cuba, such as Cubanet, which have lost critical funding and are now unable to report on human rights violations effectively. Critics, including the Institute's president, warn that these cuts will empower authoritarian regimes by weakening opposition networks and increasing vulnerability for activists. The cancellations are seen as part of a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy and have led to concerns among lawmakers about the implications for democracy promotion in Latin America. The National Democratic Institute is also experiencing similar funding issues, leaving many organizations and programs uncertain about their future.