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Agency for International Development: Difference between revisions
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A USAID subcontractor was arrested in Cuba in 2009 for distributing satellite equipment to provide Cubans with internet access. The subcontractor was released during Obama's second presidential term as part of the measures to improve relations between the two countries.<ref name="guardian030821">{{cite web |last1=Augustin |first1=Ed |last2=Montero |first2=Daniel |title=Why the internet in Cuba has become a US political hot potato |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/03/why-the-internet-in-cuba-has-become-a-us-political-hot-potato |website=the Guardian |access-date=15 September 2021 |language=en |date=3 August 2021}}</ref> | A USAID subcontractor was arrested in Cuba in 2009 for distributing satellite equipment to provide Cubans with internet access. The subcontractor was released during Obama's second presidential term as part of the measures to improve relations between the two countries.<ref name="guardian030821">{{cite web |last1=Augustin |first1=Ed |last2=Montero |first2=Daniel |title=Why the internet in Cuba has become a US political hot potato |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/03/why-the-internet-in-cuba-has-become-a-us-political-hot-potato |website=the Guardian |access-date=15 September 2021 |language=en |date=3 August 2021}}</ref> | ||
USAID has been used as a mechanism for "hastening transition", i.e. [[regime change]] in Cuba.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/122217408/USAID-DAI-Contract|title=USAID DAI Contract - United States Agency For International Development - Cuba|website=Scribd}}</ref> Between 2009 and 2012, USAID ran a multimillion-dollar program, disguised as humanitarian aid and aimed at inciting rebellion in Cuba. The program consisted of two operations: one to establish an anti-regime [[social network]] called [[ZunZuneo]], and the other to attract potential dissidents contacted by undercover operatives posing as tourists and aid workers.<ref name=TheGuardianCuba>{{cite news|title=USAID programme used young Latin Americans to incite Cuba rebellion|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/04/usaid-latin-americans-cuba-rebellion-hiv-workshops|work= | USAID has been used as a mechanism for "hastening transition", i.e. [[regime change]] in Cuba.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/122217408/USAID-DAI-Contract|title=USAID DAI Contract - United States Agency For International Development - Cuba|website=Scribd}}</ref> Between 2009 and 2012, USAID ran a multimillion-dollar program, disguised as humanitarian aid and aimed at inciting rebellion in Cuba. The program consisted of two operations: one to establish an anti-regime [[social network]] called [[ZunZuneo]], and the other to attract potential dissidents contacted by undercover operatives posing as tourists and aid workers.<ref name=TheGuardianCuba>{{cite news|title=USAID programme used young Latin Americans to incite Cuba rebellion|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/04/usaid-latin-americans-cuba-rebellion-hiv-workshops|work=The Guardian|date=4 August 2014|access-date=5 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="guardian030414">{{cite news |title=US secretly created 'Cuban Twitter' to stir unrest and undermine government |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/03/us-cuban-twitter-zunzuneo-stir-unrest |access-date=30 July 2020 |work=the Guardian |agency=AP |date=3 April 2014 |language=en}}</ref> | ||
USAID engineered a subversive program using social media aimed at fueling political unrest in [[Cuba]] to overthrow the Cuban government. On 3 April 2014 the Associated Press published an investigative report that revealed USAID was behind the creation of a social networking text messaging service aimed at creating political dissent and triggering an uprising against the Cuban government.<ref name="Associated Press">{{cite news|title=US secretly created 'Cuban Twitter' to stir unrest|url=https://apnews.com/article/technology-cuba-united-states-government-904a9a6a1bcd46cebfc14bea2ee30fdf|access-date=16 February 2023}}</ref> The name of the messaging network was ZunZuneo, a Cuban slang term for a hummingbird's tweet and a play on '[[Twitter]]'. According to the AP's report, the plan was to build an audience by initially presenting non-controversial content like sports, music and weather. Once a critical mass of users was reached the US government operators would change the content to spark political dissent and mobilize the users into organized political gatherings called 'smart mobs' that would trigger an uprising against the Cuban government.<ref name="Associated Press"/> | USAID engineered a subversive program using social media aimed at fueling political unrest in [[Cuba]] to overthrow the Cuban government. On 3 April 2014 the Associated Press published an investigative report that revealed USAID was behind the creation of a social networking text messaging service aimed at creating political dissent and triggering an uprising against the Cuban government.<ref name="Associated Press">{{cite news|title=US secretly created 'Cuban Twitter' to stir unrest|url=https://apnews.com/article/technology-cuba-united-states-government-904a9a6a1bcd46cebfc14bea2ee30fdf|access-date=16 February 2023}}</ref> The name of the messaging network was ZunZuneo, a Cuban slang term for a hummingbird's tweet and a play on '[[Twitter]]'. According to the AP's report, the plan was to build an audience by initially presenting non-controversial content like sports, music and weather. Once a critical mass of users was reached the US government operators would change the content to spark political dissent and mobilize the users into organized political gatherings called 'smart mobs' that would trigger an uprising against the Cuban government.<ref name="Associated Press"/> | ||
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USAID officials realized they needed an exit strategy to conceal their involvement in the program, at one point seeking funding from [[Jack Dorsey]], the Twitter co-founder, as part of a plan for it to go independent.<ref name="Associated Press"/> The service was abruptly closed down around mid-2012, which USAID said was due to the program running out of money.<ref>{{cite web|title=US government harassed Castro with a fake Twitter service|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/3/5577254/us-created-cuban-twitter-to-fuel-anti-castro-dissidence-ap|website=The Verge|date=April 3, 2014|access-date=5 April 2014}}</ref> | USAID officials realized they needed an exit strategy to conceal their involvement in the program, at one point seeking funding from [[Jack Dorsey]], the Twitter co-founder, as part of a plan for it to go independent.<ref name="Associated Press"/> The service was abruptly closed down around mid-2012, which USAID said was due to the program running out of money.<ref>{{cite web|title=US government harassed Castro with a fake Twitter service|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/3/5577254/us-created-cuban-twitter-to-fuel-anti-castro-dissidence-ap|website=The Verge|date=April 3, 2014|access-date=5 April 2014}}</ref> | ||
The ZunZuneo operation was part of a program that included a second operation which started in October 2009 and was financed jointly with ZunZuneo. In the second operation USAid sent Venezuelan, Costa Rican and Peruvian youngsters to Cuba to recruit Cubans into anti-regime political activities. The operatives posed as traveling aid workers and tourists. In one of the covert operations, the workers formed a [[HIV prevention]] workshop, which leaked memos called "the perfect excuse" for the programme's political goals. '' | The ZunZuneo operation was part of a program that included a second operation which started in October 2009 and was financed jointly with ZunZuneo. In the second operation USAid sent Venezuelan, Costa Rican and Peruvian youngsters to Cuba to recruit Cubans into anti-regime political activities. The operatives posed as traveling aid workers and tourists. In one of the covert operations, the workers formed a [[HIV prevention]] workshop, which leaked memos called "the perfect excuse" for the programme's political goals. ''The Guardian'' said the operation could undermine US efforts to work toward improving health globally.<ref name=TheGuardianCuba /> | ||
The operation was also criticized for putting the undercover operatives themselves at risk. The covert operatives were given limited training about evading Cuban authorities suspicious of their actions. After [[Alan Gross]], a development specialist and USAID subcontractor was arrested in Cuba, the US government warned USAID about the safety of covert operatives. Regardless of safety concerns, USAID refused to end the operation.<ref name=TheGuardianCuba /> | The operation was also criticized for putting the undercover operatives themselves at risk. The covert operatives were given limited training about evading Cuban authorities suspicious of their actions. After [[Alan Gross]], a development specialist and USAID subcontractor was arrested in Cuba, the US government warned USAID about the safety of covert operatives. Regardless of safety concerns, USAID refused to end the operation.<ref name=TheGuardianCuba /> | ||
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USAID states that "U.S. foreign assistance has always had the twofold purpose of furthering America's foreign policy interests in expanding democracy and free markets while improving the lives of the citizens of the developing world." Non-government organization watch groups have noted that as much as 40% of aid to Afghanistan has found its way back to donor countries through awarding contracts at inflated costs.<ref>Richard Norton-Taylor [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/mar/25/afghanistan.internationalaidanddevelopment1 40% of Afghan aid returns to donor countries, says report] ''guardian.co.uk'' 25 March 2008</ref> | USAID states that "U.S. foreign assistance has always had the twofold purpose of furthering America's foreign policy interests in expanding democracy and free markets while improving the lives of the citizens of the developing world." Non-government organization watch groups have noted that as much as 40% of aid to Afghanistan has found its way back to donor countries through awarding contracts at inflated costs.<ref>Richard Norton-Taylor [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/mar/25/afghanistan.internationalaidanddevelopment1 40% of Afghan aid returns to donor countries, says report] ''guardian.co.uk'' 25 March 2008</ref> | ||
Although USAID officially selects contractors on a competitive and objective basis, watch dog groups, politicians, foreign governments and corporations have occasionally accused the agency of allowing its bidding process to be unduly influenced by the political and financial interests of its current presidential administration. Under the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]], for instance, it emerged that all five implementing partners selected to bid on a $600 million Iraq reconstruction contract enjoyed close ties to the administration.<ref>Barbara Slavin [https://www.usatoday.com/money/world/iraq/2003-04-17-iraqdeal_x.htm Another Iraq deal rewards company with connections] ''USA Today'' 4/17/2003</ref><ref>{{cite web | first1=Mark | last1=Tran | url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2003/mar/31/iraq.usnews | title=Halliburton misses $600m Iraq contract | work= | Although USAID officially selects contractors on a competitive and objective basis, watch dog groups, politicians, foreign governments and corporations have occasionally accused the agency of allowing its bidding process to be unduly influenced by the political and financial interests of its current presidential administration. Under the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]], for instance, it emerged that all five implementing partners selected to bid on a $600 million Iraq reconstruction contract enjoyed close ties to the administration.<ref>Barbara Slavin [https://www.usatoday.com/money/world/iraq/2003-04-17-iraqdeal_x.htm Another Iraq deal rewards company with connections] ''USA Today'' 4/17/2003</ref><ref>{{cite web | first1=Mark | last1=Tran | url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2003/mar/31/iraq.usnews | title=Halliburton misses $600m Iraq contract | work=The Guardian | date = 31 March 2003}}</ref> | ||
===Political operations abroad=== | ===Political operations abroad=== | ||
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In 2008, Benjamin Dangl wrote in ''[[The Progressive]]'' that the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]] was using USAID to fund efforts in Bolivia to "undermine the [[Evo Morales|Morales]] government and coopt the country’s dynamic social movements—just as it has tried to do recently in Venezuela and traditionally throughout Latin America".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dangl |first1=Benjamin |title=Undermining Bolivia |url=http://www.progressive.org/mag_dangl0208 |website=Progressive.org |access-date=1 April 2024 |language=en-us |date=1 February 2008}}</ref> | In 2008, Benjamin Dangl wrote in ''[[The Progressive]]'' that the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]] was using USAID to fund efforts in Bolivia to "undermine the [[Evo Morales|Morales]] government and coopt the country’s dynamic social movements—just as it has tried to do recently in Venezuela and traditionally throughout Latin America".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dangl |first1=Benjamin |title=Undermining Bolivia |url=http://www.progressive.org/mag_dangl0208 |website=Progressive.org |access-date=1 April 2024 |language=en-us |date=1 February 2008}}</ref> | ||
From 2010 to 2012, the agency operated a social media site similar to [[Twitter]] in an attempt to instigate uprisings against the Cuban government. Its involvement was concealed in order to ensure mission success. The plan was to draw in users with non-controversial content until a [[Critical mass (sociodynamics)|critical mass]] is reached, after which more political messaging would be introduced. At its peak, more than 40,000 unsuspecting Cubans interacted on the platform.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2014-04-03 |title=US secretly created 'Cuban Twitter' to stir unrest and undermine government |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/03/us-cuban-twitter-zunzuneo-stir-unrest |access-date=2024-09-06 |work= | From 2010 to 2012, the agency operated a social media site similar to [[Twitter]] in an attempt to instigate uprisings against the Cuban government. Its involvement was concealed in order to ensure mission success. The plan was to draw in users with non-controversial content until a [[Critical mass (sociodynamics)|critical mass]] is reached, after which more political messaging would be introduced. At its peak, more than 40,000 unsuspecting Cubans interacted on the platform.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2014-04-03 |title=US secretly created 'Cuban Twitter' to stir unrest and undermine government |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/03/us-cuban-twitter-zunzuneo-stir-unrest |access-date=2024-09-06 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> | ||
In the summer of 2012, [[Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas|ALBA]] countries ([[Venezuela]], [[Cuba]], [[Ecuador]], [[Bolivia]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]], [[Dominica]], [[Antigua]] and [[Barbuda]]) called on its members to expel USAID from their countries.<ref name="NBC News 2014">{{cite web | title=After More Than 50 Years, USAID Is Leaving Ecuador | website=NBC News | date=2014-10-01 | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/after-more-50-years-usaid-leaving-ecuador-n215621 | access-date=2021-10-11}}</ref> | In the summer of 2012, [[Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas|ALBA]] countries ([[Venezuela]], [[Cuba]], [[Ecuador]], [[Bolivia]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]], [[Dominica]], [[Antigua]] and [[Barbuda]]) called on its members to expel USAID from their countries.<ref name="NBC News 2014">{{cite web | title=After More Than 50 Years, USAID Is Leaving Ecuador | website=NBC News | date=2014-10-01 | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/after-more-50-years-usaid-leaving-ecuador-n215621 | access-date=2021-10-11}}</ref> | ||