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Funding Cuts Impact Peace Efforts and Anti-Gang Programs in Colombia

QUIBDO, Colombia (Reuters) – A recent freeze on funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is severely affecting peace initiatives and anti-gang programs in the most marginalized regions of Colombia, jeopardizing the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement with the FARC rebel group, as reported by various officials and members of the community.

The decision made by the Trump administration to halt nearly all USAID funding has led to instability among humanitarian efforts across the globe. In Colombia, the agency had previously provided up to $440 million each year for over 80 programs, making it the largest recipient of USAID assistance in the Western Hemisphere.

Experts warn that these cuts will further complicate the execution of the peace accord with the FARC rebels, which includes measures aimed at reducing cocaine production. This sentiment is echoed by notable figures such as Colombia’s former foreign minister, current lawmakers, and officials involved in USAID initiatives.

The cessation of aid has particularly impacted reintegration programs designed for former combatants, including economic support aimed at fostering employment. Despite international backing for these efforts, the failure to fully implement the peace deal has led some former rebels to rejoin armed factions as early as 2019, while ongoing violence remains a significant issue throughout the country.

President Gustavo Petro, who promised to bring an end to decades of conflict, is facing a time constraint, with less than 17 months remaining in his term and no formal agreements finalized. During his presidency, significant armed groups, including the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the FARC, have experienced fragmentation, complicating negotiation efforts.

Luis Gilberto Murillo, former foreign minister and a key advisor to USAID, expressed concern that the funding reductions would harm organizations dedicated to promoting human rights, democracy, peacebuilding, and support for Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. “The reduction will increase the risk of violence and heighten vulnerabilities, especially in regions where USAID programs have played a crucial role,” he stated.

Cocaine trafficking, primarily executed by various rebel and criminal gangs, remains a leading cause of ongoing violence, with the drug mainly reaching markets in the U.S. and Europe. As of now, the Colombian government has not provided commentary on how these funding cuts may affect peace negotiations, nor have USAID or the State Department been responsive to inquiries.

According to Colombian government data, the U.S. contributed a substantial 42% of foreign aid committed to implementing the peace agreement—around $1.26 billion from 2018 to 2024—supporting land reform and transitional justice systems for wartime offenses.

James Hermenegildo Mosquera, a lawmaker from Chocó province representing conflict victims, stated, “The cessation of USAID funding will have a detrimental effect on the peace accord’s implementation, with potential repercussions for victim reparations and land reform, ultimately increasing the likelihood of violence related to drug trafficking.”

Elizabeth Dickinson, a senior analyst with the Crisis Group, noted that the canceled programs previously offered alternatives to farmers involved in coca cultivation, further underscoring the negative impact of these funding withdrawals.

Last year, Colombia’s government was compelled to cut spending. It remains uncertain whether the nation will be able to replace the lost aid or secure alternative funding sources.

Chocó, located along the Caribbean and Pacific coast and bordering Panama, has long been a strategic point for drug trafficking and a transit area for migrants. It’s officially recognized as the poorest province in Colombia, populated predominantly by Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities.

Luz Mely Moreno, who now studies psychology, recounts her transformative experience in a mentorship initiative part of the USAID-supported Jovenes Resilientes program, which aided at-risk youth. Previously on the verge of joining a gang, she credits the program with steering her towards academic success and personal development. She expressed concern about the future, fearing that many young individuals may succumb to gang influence without such support.

Funding Cuts and Perceptions of Waste

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized a $60 million program intended for “Indigenous Peoples and Afro-Colombian empowerment in Central America,” labeling it as “appalling waste,” despite Colombia being situated in South America. Former foreign minister Murillo highlighted this initiative as one of the agency’s most impactful projects in Colombia, demonstrating bipartisan support since the George W. Bush administration.

Wilmer Serna, coordinator for Youth Resilience, emphasized the dire implications of losing USAID funding, which was the sole financial source for their initiatives that provided educational, operational, and recreational opportunities. The program had reached approximately 60,000 young people and had documented successes, including the rehabilitation of gang members.

While a ceasefire among three gangs has helped to halve the homicide rate in Quibdó since December, officials recognize that outreach programs like Youth Resilience are vital for maintaining this truce beyond its upcoming expiration date.

Chocó’s secretary of government, Francisco Vidal, stressed, “While we need to pursue dialogue with gangs, we must also continue to engage in social programs that foster community stability.”

As reported, resulting from ongoing conflicts between ELN rebels and the Clan del Golfo crime organization, thousands have been displaced throughout the province this year. The suspension of aid threatens to reverse progress achieved under the 2016 peace deal, potentially exacerbating drug production and migration flows in the region.

One source familiar with the USAID programs conveyed concerns about the bleak future of peace negotiations should the FARC agreements remain unfulfilled, suggesting that other armed factions may hesitate to pursue their own peace accords.

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