The Ultimate Guide to USAID A Freeze Threatens Millions in Latin America This title provides an overview of the topic and highlights the impact of President Trump's decision to freeze development aid on millions of people in Latin America.

The Ultimate Guide to USAID A Freeze Threatens Millions in Latin America

As the world grapples with the consequences of President Donald Trump's decision to freeze development aid, millions of people in Latin America are feeling the pinch. The US Agency for International Development (USAID), responsible for numerous health and emergency programs, has seen its funding suddenly halted, leaving a trail of uncertainty and devastation in its wake.

The Devastating Impact on Programs

In 2023, USAID disbursed approximately $1.7 billion in Latin America and the Caribbean, supporting non-governmental organizations (NGOs), public entities, and life-saving United Nations programs. Without this funding, numerous programs are expected to run out of funds, leading to layoffs and affecting communities across the region.

Colombia A Country Plagued by Drug Trafficking

Colombia, a country plagued by drug trafficking and related violence committed by various armed groups, has been the largest beneficiary of USAID funds. In 2023, Colombia received around $460 million in aid, with a significant portion dedicated to supporting the implementation of a 2016 peace agreement that saw the FARC guerrilla group disarm.

Central America A Region Relying Heavily on External Resources

In Central American countries such as Peru and Guatemala, the situation is more dire. USAID funds represent a significant portion of their economies, with many programs forced to restrict projects or even suspend operations altogether.

NGOs Feeling the Pinch

NGOs are particularly affected by the aid freeze. In Peru, organizations will be forced to cut back on projects that support food, anti-drug, employment, environmental, health, and democracy initiatives. In Guatemala, the Lambda LGBTQ+ organization has already had to suspend a sexual health education project and support for people living with HIV.

The Consequences of Defunding

In the Colombian Amazon, deforestation, drug trafficking, and illegal mining are expected to increase if funding is lost. Young people helped by aid programs will be left without prospects, potentially driving them into the arms of criminal organizations that clear protected forests to grow coca, the main ingredient of cocaine.

The Human Impact

The Entre Dos Tierras foundation in Colombia has already had to close its doors, leaving 16 employees out of a job and 600 daily meals distributed no longer possible. The situation is worsening in a city that has recently received a flood of people displaced by guerrilla violence.

US Priorities

Analysts argue that the aid freeze threatens Trump's main goals of stopping the flow of illicit drugs and undocumented people into the United States. There are programs of great importance that correspond to the priorities of the US government regarding security, justice, and the reduction of migration drivers, which are mainly economic, said Luis Linares, an analyst at Guatemala's Association of Social Studies and Research (ASIES).

The Geopolitical Implications

A withdrawal of USAID could also tilt the region towards donors such as China, a geopolitical foe whose growing influence in Latin America Washington is eager to counter. Despite the controversy surrounding USAID, its presence has not been uncontroversial in the region.

Conclusion

As the world navigates this unprecedented crisis, it is essential to recognize the far-reaching consequences of President Trump's decision to freeze development aid. The ultimate guide to USAID highlights the devastating impact on programs, communities, and individuals across Latin America. As professionals in 2025 and beyond, it is our duty to learn from this experience and ensure that international cooperation remains a vital component of global development.

Keywords USAID, development aid, Latin America, Trump administration, humanitarian crisis

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.