In a speech on February 6, 2025, in reference to the U.S. foreign assistance freeze, Peruvian president Diana Boularte accused civil society actors of using "international cooperation funds" to defend criminals instead of supporting security forces, and claimed that these organizations undermined democracy and sovereignty.

Date: 2/25

Region: Latin America & Caribbean

Country: Peru

Topic: Governance & Rights

Policy Lens: Democracy & Governance

Entry Type: Secondary Effect

Additional Context: The president made these remarks at the presentation ceremony of the Master’s Degree in Human Rights at Peru's Center for Higher National Studies, which is a military training academic institution located in Lima, Peru. At the time, civil society organizations rejected these statements, denouncing them as an attempt to delegitimize their work by utilizing the narratives stemming from the U.S. regarding waste and corruption among aid recipients.

According to EU SEE, the suspension of USAID funding has affected more than 60 civil society actors in Peru, putting at risk projects related to democracy, human rights, governance, the environment, and the fight against drugs.

Source: EU SEE