Venezuelan president claims opposition embezzled USAID funds in bid to topple government

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused the far-right opposition of embezzling $5 billion in aid from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which he claims were used to destabilize the country.

In a televised interview, Maduro stated that the funds, allegedly provided to opposition leader Juan Guaidó by the US agency, were stolen and exploited to incite turmoil within Venezuela, Caliber.Az reports.

He called for an end to the "conspiracy" against the nation, referencing the ongoing scandal involving USAID.

"Juan Guaidó received more than $5 billion from the American agency, money which was stolen and used to create instability," Maduro said.

He added that opposition families, who had supported Guaidó's self-proclaimed presidency, were deprived of financial aid that had been intended for them.

Furthermore, Maduro emphasized that essential services such as healthcare, education, and support for mothers had been severely impacted, as Venezuelan mothers, doctors, and teachers did not receive any assistance. "All the funds were stolen," he said

To recap, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that US aid cuts are severely disrupting global health programmes, including efforts to tackle HIV, polio, mpox, and bird flu. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that the freeze on US funding, initiated by President Donald Trump’s administration, has led to the suspension of critical services like HIV treatment, testing, and prevention in 50 countries.

Dr Tedros expressed concern over the closure of clinics and furloughing of health workers due to the halt of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The freeze has also delayed vaccine development and hindered new treatments, experts warn.

The US’s decision to cut funding to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has resulted in the agency’s workforce reduction and suspension of many aid programmes. With USAID spending approximately $40 billion annually, its cuts primarily affect humanitarian aid in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, President Trump’s move to withdraw from the WHO has further strained international health collaborations. The WHO is now employing emergency measures to mitigate the impacts of the funding freeze, but experts stress the need for a sustainable long-term solution.

By Aghakazim Guliyev