Related videos:
In an unexpected turn, the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, the President of the United States Donald Trump, and the tech magnate Elon Musk have all expressed their criticisms against the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), albeit from very different perspectives and motivations.
Díaz-Canel recently denounced on his X account the "millionaire projects" of USAID intended to fund independent media and NGOs in Cuba, pointing out that the U.S. government and "sensationalist" media now seem alarmed by something that his government has been denouncing for years.
"It is very easy to track the money and see who has become new millionaires,” stated the Cuban leader.
In the same vein, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez described USAID as "an instrument for carrying out destabilization operations against Cuba", noting that since 1990, the agency has allocated between 20 and 50 million dollars annually in an effort to undermine the constitutional order of the island.
According to Rodríguez, at different periods USAID allegedly spent millions of dollars to carry out illegal operations: over 6 million dollars between 1998 and 1999, and 61 million between 2001 and 2006, with 142 projects aimed against the Cuban government.
On his part, Trump has questioned the effectiveness of USAID, calling it a "criminal organization" and stating that "they turned out to be radical left lunatics."
Since returning to the White House on January 20, the Trump administration has taken steps to dismantle the agency, arguing that it does not serve the interests of the United States and that it operates more as a "global charity" than as an entity that promotes national interests.
On January 24, Trump ordered an almost total freeze on foreign aid, impacting numerous international programs.
Elon Musk, appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency under the Trump administration, has endorsed the restructuring of USAID.
Musk has described the agency as a "criminal organization" and advocates for its closure or transformation to reduce unnecessary public spending. He stated that "it is time for it to die."
His opinion on the Agency for International Development is clear. "USAID is a bunch of worms. There are no apples. And when there are no apples, you simply have to get rid of everything. That's why it needs to be eliminated. It's beyond repair.", he wrote on the platform X.
The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio has taken over the USAID as interim administrator, criticizing the agency for not promoting national interests.
This restructuring includes a significant reduction in staff and the possible absorption of USAID by the Department of State.
These decisions have created uncertainty for organizations and projects that depended on USAID funding, including independent media and NGOs in Cuba. Outlets such as CubaNet and Diario de Cuba have requested donations from their readers to continue operating in light of the funding suspension.
Moreover, the international community has expressed its concern. The NGO Caritas International, associated with the Catholic Church, described the freezing of funds as "reckless" and "inhumane", warning that it could lead to "death and extreme poverty" in vulnerable communities.
In response to these actions, the American Foreign Service Association and the American Federation of Government Employees filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction against the administration, arguing that the actions violated the separation of powers and other constitutional provisions.
The next day, federal judge Carl Nichols issued a temporary restraining order, halting the plan to place thousands of employees on administrative leave and the expedited removal of workers from their positions abroad.
The role of USAID in Cuba and the world
Historically, USAID has had a controversial presence in Cuba. The island's government has repeatedly accused the agency of funding subversive activities and attempting to undermine the Cuban political system by supporting independent media and civil society organizations.
However, USAID has also collaborated on global humanitarian efforts. A notable case occurred in 2014, when Cuban doctors worked in Liberia at an Ebola treatment center established with support from the U.S. agency.
Despite the Cuban government's rhetoric against USAID, health professionals sent from Havana collaborated with the staff of the center, inaugurated by the then president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The center, located in Monrovia, was one of the largest in the country and was designed to serve between 200 and 300 patients.
Similarly, in Haiti, Cuban medical brigades have worked in hospitals funded by USAID. One example of this is the Jules Fleury Hospital in Nippes, where Cuban healthcare professionals have provided care amid humanitarian crises and natural disasters.
This type of collaboration highlights the paradox in the relationship between the U.S. agency and the Cuban government: while Havana denounces the interference of USAID, its doctors have provided services in facilities funded by the same agency in needy countries.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Joint Criticism of USAID by Díaz-Canel, Trump, and Elon Musk
Why does Díaz-Canel criticize USAID?
Miguel Díaz-Canel criticizes USAID for funding independent media and NGOs in Cuba, accusing it of attempting to undermine the constitutional order of the island. According to him, these projects are part of destabilization operations against the Cuban government, and he has denounced the use of millions in funds for these initiatives for decades.
What is Donald Trump's stance on USAID?
Donald Trump considers USAID to be a "criminal organization" and has started to dismantle it. The President of the United States has criticized the agency for not serving national interests and has viewed it as a "global charity." Under his administration, Trump has ordered a significant reduction in foreign aid, which has created uncertainty in international programs that relied on this funding.
What role does Elon Musk play in the criticism of USAID?
Elon Musk, as the director of the Department of Government Efficiency, supports the closure or transformation of USAID. Musk has described the agency as irreparable and has advocated for its elimination to reduce unnecessary public spending. His position aligns with the Trump administration, which seeks to reevaluate and align foreign aid with the national interests of the United States.
How does the disbandment of USAID affect Cuba?
The dismantling of USAID significantly affects independent media and NGOs in Cuba, which relied on its funding to promote democracy and human rights on the island. The suspension of funds jeopardizes the continuity of these initiatives, limiting essential resources for their operation and leaving many organizations in uncertainty.
What are the international consequences of the restructuring of USAID?
The restructuring of USAID raises international concerns, particularly among organizations that relied on its funding. The international community, including NGOs such as Caritas International, has described the freezing of funds as "reckless" and "inhumane," warning of potentially severe consequences for vulnerable communities affected by this decision.
Filed under:
