DOGE cuts funding for alpaca farming in Peru, other questionable grants
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) made headlines on Tuesday with the announcement of the cancellation of $4.5 million in grants. These grants included funding for alpaca farming in Peru, reducing social discrimination against recyclers in Bolivia, and promoting cultural understanding of Venezuelan migrants in Brazil. The Inter-American Foundation, which was given a $60 million budget for issuing foreign grants, saw drastic cuts with only one active employee remaining, as reported by DOGE.
Among the grants that were slashed were $903,811 for alpaca farming in Peru, $364,500 to combat social discrimination against recyclers in Bolivia, and $323,633 to foster cultural understanding of Venezuelan migrants in Brazil. Other significant grants that were eliminated included funding for vegetable gardens in El Salvador, improving the marketability of mushrooms and peas in Guatemala, expanding fruit and jam sales in Honduras, enhancing artisanal salt production in Ecuador, and supporting beekeeping in Brazil.
DOGE, led by Elon Musk, is a temporary organization within the White House, established earlier this year via executive order. President Donald Trump charged the organization with the task of optimizing the federal government, streamlining operations, and cutting spending within an 18-month timeframe.
As of March 4, DOGE’s website boasts of significant cost savings, including 2,334 contract terminations totaling $8 billion, 3,489 grant terminations amounting to approximately $10 billion, and 748 lease terminations saving around $660 million. The organization claims to have saved a total of $105 billion through various measures such as fraud detection, contract and lease cancellations, workforce reductions, and programmatic changes.
Critics of DOGE argue that the organization has been granted excessive access to federal systems and should not have the authority to cancel federal contracts or make cuts across different agencies. Despite the backlash, DOGE proceeded to cancel numerous diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, consulting contracts, underused federal building leases, and redundant agencies and programs.
The Inter-American Foundation did not provide immediate comment in response to Fox News Digital’s request for clarification on the matter.
In conclusion, DOGE’s efforts to streamline government operations and reduce spending have sparked controversy and criticism. The organization’s swift actions in canceling grants and terminating contracts have raised concerns about its authority and impact on federal agencies. It remains to be seen how DOGE’s initiatives will continue to unfold in the coming months.
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