Colombia’s environmental and conservation efforts have significantly hit after the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) froze $70 million in funding following President Donald Trump’s decision to scale down the agency.
Colombian Environment Minister Susana Muhamad warned that the most significant impact would be felt in the Amazon, where deforestation claims hundreds of square kilometres of forest yearly.
On Tuesday, Trump labelled USAID as “incompetent and corrupt”, appointing Elon Musk to oversee a drastic reduction in its operations. The agency, which previously employed over 10,000 staff, has now seen all but 600 employees either laid off or put on leave.
According to Colombia’s environment ministry, nearly half of the frozen funds were allocated to USAID’s Amazonia Mia program, with the remainder supporting other unspecified environmental initiatives.
The cuts raise serious concerns about the future of conservation efforts in one of the world’s most critical biodiversity hotspots. Read More
News Credit: Reuters
Picture Credit: Colombia’s Minister  of Environment and Sustainable Development Susana Muhamad deliveres a statement during the United Nations climate change conference COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan November 19, 2024 REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights