USAID: A Global Machine of Corruption and Political Manipulation

Introduction

Elon Musk recently called USAID a "criminal organization," and there is mounting evidence that his statement is not far from the truth. The Washington Times has already exposed some of the corruption within USAID, but the real extent of its wrongdoing goes far beyond what has been publicly discussed. USAID has functioned as a covert tool for political interference, using federal funds to manipulate elections, launder money, and promote artificial opposition movements in countries like Guatemala, Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.

This article uncovers how USAID's deep corruption extends into Latin America, undermining genuine democratic movements while enriching a select group of individuals operating under the guise of NGOs.

USAID’s Political Interference in Guatemala

Between 2021 and 2024, USAID and the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) funneled millions of dollars into Guatemala under the pretense of supporting civil society, justice, and economic development. However, evidence suggests that much of this money was strategically channeled to interfere in the country's electoral process.

The NGO Network of Influence

Several Guatemalan NGOs received USAID funding under the guise of promoting democracy but instead played a role in political interference:

• El Refugio de la Niñez – While publicly known for protecting victims of trafficking, USAID funds allocated to this organization appear to have been used to sway political narratives within Guatemala.

• Fundación Crisálida (Glasswing International) – Marketed as a youth empowerment organization, its activities coincided with USAID's broader strategy of shaping electoral behavior.

• Ayuda en Acción Guatemala – Operating in regions like the 48 Cantones, this organization’s funding coincided with heightened political activism, raising concerns over external interference.

The 48 Cantones and Foreign Influence

The 48 Cantones of Totonicapán, a major indigenous authority, received USAID funds under the pretext of strengthening governance. However, this coincided with their public opposition to certain government actions, leading to suspicions that USAID was exploiting indigenous movements to push its own political agenda.

Cuba: USAID’s Engineered Opposition

For decades, USAID has claimed to fund initiatives that promote democracy in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. However, within the Cuban exile community in Miami, suspicions have long existed that USAID has been funneling money into organizations that do not genuinely support democracy. Instead, these organizations have been used to control opposition movements, ensuring that real resistance groups never receive meaningful financial support.

The Valladares vs. Boronat Scandal

A recent exposé within Miami’s Cuban exile community has revealed how USAID funds were allegedly stolen and misused. Cuban dissident Armando Valladares accused Orlando Gutiérrez Boronat, leader of the Directorio Democrático Cubano, of embezzling $30 million in USAID funds that were supposedly meant to destabilize Cuba’s regime. Tax records obtained through ProPublica show outrageous expenditures:

• $600,000 spent on travel in a single year, often for first-class flights and luxury hotels.

• $50,000 annually on phone bills, leading to suspicions of financial fraud.

• $524,000 in unexplained office expenses in one year.

• Over $1 million allocated to "shortwave radio broadcasts" that no one in Cuba listens to.

Instead of reaching genuine opposition movements in Cuba, USAID funds appear to have been redirected toward self-enrichment schemes and manufactured political activities. The corruption extends beyond Boronat—tax records reveal a network of phantom companies, including Freedom Synergy Corporation, OGBCONNECT LLC, and Symbioslink LLC, which have received USAID funds while showing little evidence of legitimate operations.

A Longstanding Pattern of Corruption

The misuse of USAID funds is not new. Similar financial scandals have occurred in Venezuela and Nicaragua, where USAID-backed organizations have faced accusations of being tools for intelligence operations rather than genuine democracy-building efforts.

Beyond Latin America: USAID’s Global Corruption

Guatemala and Cuba are not isolated cases—USAID has been caught funding questionable projects worldwide. Recent reports indicate that the agency has misallocated funds into:

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives unrelated to foreign aid.

• Transgender and gender programs in conservative regions, fueling local backlash.

• Grants to groups with alleged terrorist affiliations, raising security concerns.

The situation has become so dire that USAID staff were reportedly advised to stay away from their Washington headquarters due to fears of internal investigations and backlash.

Conclusion: A Call for Accountability

USAID has operated as a rogue entity for decades, using taxpayer dollars to manipulate elections, finance corrupt organizations, and control opposition movements in Latin America and beyond. The corruption is systemic, and as investigations continue, it is becoming clear that this agency is in desperate need of reform—or complete dissolution.

The time has come to hold USAID accountable. The American people deserve to know how their tax dollars have been spent, and the countries affected by USAID’s interference deserve a chance to build their own futures without external manipulation.