Authoritarian Regimes Celebrate Closure of USAid Amid Concerns Over Humanitarian Impact

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The planned dissolution of USAid has elicited approval from authoritarian leaders worldwide, who view it as a blow to American influence. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova characterized USAid as a tool for regime change rather than a legitimate aid organization. Leaders in Hungary, Belarus, and El Salvador echoed this sentiment, framing the agency’s shutdown as a victory over what they consider foreign interference. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán referred to the move as an end to "globalist Soros" organizations, while El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele accused it of destabilizing movements through unwanted funding.

The decision, attributed to Elon Musk's influence, has raised alarms among humanitarian organizations. Aid workers warn that reductions in funding could escalate crises in nations reliant on USAid, such as Uganda, which receives over $500 million annually. Opponents of the cuts argue that they send a detrimental message to dictatorships while undermining support for pro-democracy efforts. The Congressional Research Service has also raised concerns about President Trump’s authority to dismantle the agency, indicating a growing institutional backlash.

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