Washington, United States – February 6, 2025
Newly released documents show that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has funded millions of dollars in projects across Jamaica and Latin America, including initiatives for LGBT advocacy, media training, and economic programs. The revelations come amid a broader review of US foreign aid under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has paused foreign assistance for 90 days to reassess spending priorities.
According to the documents, USAID allocated $1.5 million for LGBT advocacy in Jamaica, $2 million for LGBT equality through entrepreneurship in Latin America, and millions more for similar projects in other regions. Additional funding included $7.9 million to teach Sri Lankan journalists to avoid binary-gendered language, $6 million to promote feminist democratic principles in digital spaces, and $25 million for green transportation in Georgia.
Elon Musk, whose bio states that he is “White House Tech Support” reacted to the news on X, calling it a “crazy waste” of taxpayer money. Meanwhile, the Trump administration declared, “USAID bureaucrats believed they were accountable to no one – but that era is over.”
Last September, The U.S. Agency announced the launch of the J$470 million (US$3M) USAID Youth Empower Activity (EMPOWER). The 5 initiative is “designed to foster sustainable development and positive growth for Jamaica’s most at-risk youth,” according to a release.
What is USAID?
USAID is the largest humanitarian and development arm of the US government, with a workforce of approximately 10,000 people and an annual budget of tens of billions of dollars. Bill Gates recently stated that his foundation partners with USAID on Global Health and “he is worried” that some projects may come to an end.
Congress approves its funding, and the agency works with the White House and State Department to implement US foreign policy initiatives.
The latest revelations have sparked renewed debate over how US taxpayer dollars are allocated abroad, particularly in light of the administration’s push to restructure or cut certain foreign aid programs.
