USAID funding freeze threatens Colombian peace initiatives

The suspension of nearly all USAID funding by the Trump administration is shuttering vital humanitarian and anti-gang programs in Colombia’s poorest regions, jeopardizing the implementation of the country’s 2016 peace deal with leftist FARC rebels.

Historically, Colombia received up to $440 million annually through USAID for over 80 programs, making it the largest recipient of U.S. aid in the western hemisphere. Now, the abrupt funding cuts are endangering reintegration initiatives for former rebels, economic projects aimed at employing ex-combatants, and various social programs that have helped curb violence and drug trafficking in conflict-prone areas.

Officials, including Colombia’s former foreign minister and lawmakers, warn that the loss of aid will increase risks of renewed violence, as vulnerable communities may be lured back into criminal gangs and drug trafficking networks. In Choco province, for example, the shutdown of the USAID-funded Youth Resilience program has left thousands of young people without essential mentorship and economic opportunities, potentially reversing progress made under the 2016 peace accord.

The freeze also undermines broader peace efforts, particularly in rural regions where USAID programs played a crucial role in reducing violence and facilitating dialogue between former rebels and the government. With significant portions

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