The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) presents itself as a humanitarian organization dedicated to alleviating poverty, promoting democracy, and fostering development in the Global South. Founded in 1961 under President John F. Kennedy, its stated mission is to “end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies.”

But beneath this altruistic façade lies a more sinister reality. USAID has long been accused of being a tool of U.S. foreign policy, used to exert control over developing nations, manipulate political landscapes, and even facilitate regime change. Far from being a purely benevolent aid organization, USAID operates as a wolf in sheep’s clothing—wielding financial influence to advance American geopolitical interests under the guise of charity.

USAID’s True Intent

While USAID-funded projects—such as health initiatives, agricultural support, and education programs—do provide some tangible benefits, they also serve a dual purpose: embedding U.S. influence in recipient nations. By controlling the flow of aid, the U.S. government can:

1. Shape Political Landscapes – USAID often funds NGOs, media outlets, and opposition groups that align with U.S. interests. In countries where Washington disapproves of the government, these funds can fuel dissent, protests, and even coups under the banner of “democracy promotion.”
2. Enforce Economic Dependence – By tying aid to free-market reforms, privatization, and trade policies favorable to U.S. corporations, USAID ensures that African economies remain subservient to Western capital.
3. Undermine Sovereign Governments – History shows that USAID has been used to destabilize nations that resist U.S. hegemony. From Latin America to the Middle East and Africa, “aid” has frequently been a precursor to intervention.

The Corruption Factor

While USAID operates as an extension of U.S. foreign policy, its effectiveness in controlling nations depends heavily on corrupt local elites who willingly collaborate in exchange for personal gain. Many African leaders, instead of resisting neo-colonial influence, have become puppet regimes that facilitate the looting of their own countries in exchange for political protection and financial kickbacks.

How the Scheme Works

1. Backroom Deals with Corrupt Leaders
   • USAID and other Western agencies often strike secret agreements with compliant African presidents and ministers, ensuring that aid money flows into projects that benefit Western corporations rather than local populations.
   • In return, these leaders receive political support, offshore bank accounts, and immunity from sanctions—even as their people suffer under poverty and instability.
2. Aid Money Diverted to Private Pockets
   • A significant portion of USAID funds never reaches intended beneficiaries. Instead, it is stolen by corrupt officials or funneled into “consultancy fees” for Western-linked contractors.
   • For example, in Kenya, USAID-funded programs have been marred by corruption scandals, with millions disappearing into the pockets of politicians and bureaucrats.
3. Manufactured Instability to Justify Continued Intervention
   • Some African leaders deliberately allow instability (such as armed rebellions or ethnic conflicts) to persist because it ensures a continuous flow of “aid” and military support from the West.
   • In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warlords and politicians have been accused of prolonging conflict to maintain access to Western aid and mineral exploitation deals.
4. Election Manipulation to Keep Puppet Leaders in Power
   • USAID often funds “election monitoring” groups that legitimize fraudulent elections, ensuring that pro-Western leaders remain in power.
   • In Nigeria, Uganda, and Ivory Coast, opposition leaders have accused USAID of interfering in elections to favor U.S.-aligned candidates.

USAID’s Global Reach

USAID’s influence extends far beyond Africa. Across Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe, the agency has been implicated in political manipulation, economic coercion, and even regime change operations. Below are some of the most notable cases:

Africa

1. Zimbabwe – For decades, USAID has funded opposition groups and media outlets critical of the government, particularly under Robert Mugabe and now Emmerson Mnangagwa. While the U.S. frames this as “supporting democracy,” the goal is to remove leaders who resist Western economic dominance.
2. Ethiopia – During the Tigray War, USAID was accused of using aid as leverage to pressure the Ethiopian government. Suspensions of food aid were seen as a political tactic rather than a humanitarian decision.
3. Sudan – USAID-funded NGOs played a role in the protests that led to the ousting of Omar al-Bashir in 2019, paving the way for a transitional government more aligned with U.S. interests.
4. Congo (DRC) – Under the pretense of “election support,” USAID has financed opposition groups and media to sway political outcomes, ensuring leaders favorable to U.S. mining and corporate interests rise to power.
5. Egypt – After the 2011 Arab Spring, USAID funneled millions into NGOs that supported the U.S.-backed opposition, contributing to the destabilization of the Mubarak regime.
6. South Africa – Reports suggest USAID funds civil society groups that push narratives favorable to U.S. policy, particularly regarding land reform and economic policies that benefit Western investors.

Latin America

1. Venezuela – USAID has openly funded opposition groups, including Juan Guaidó’s failed coup attempts, under the guise of “democracy promotion.” The agency has also supported anti-government media outlets.
2. Bolivia – USAID-backed NGOs were instrumental in the 2019 coup against Evo Morales, followed by support for the interim government of Jeanine Áñez.
3. Nicaragua – The agency has financed opposition movements against Daniel Ortega’s government, including groups involved in the 2018 violent protests.
4. Cuba – USAID has a long history of funding anti-Castro programs, including the infamous “ZunZuneo” social media project, a covert operation to stir unrest.
5. Haiti – After the 2004 coup against Jean-Bertrand Aristide, USAID redirected funds to groups aligned with U.S. interests, further destabilizing the country.

Middle East

1. Syria – Since the 2011 civil war, USAID has funded opposition groups and “civil society” organizations linked to regime change efforts.
2. Iraq – Post-2003 invasion, USAID was used to push privatization and neoliberal policies that benefited U.S. corporations at the expense of Iraqi sovereignty.
3. Yemen – While providing humanitarian aid, USAID has also supported groups aligned with U.S.-backed Saudi coalition interests.

Eastern Europe & Asia

1. Ukraine – Long before the 2014 Maidan revolution, USAID was funding pro-Western NGOs and media to counter Russian influence.
2. Georgia – The agency played a key role in the 2003 Rose Revolution, supporting Mikheil Saakashvili’s rise to power.
3. Myanmar – USAID-funded groups supported anti-government movements, contributing to political instability.
4. Philippines – The agency has been accused of backing opposition figures critical of China-aligned leaders like Rodrigo Duterte.

USAID Funding the Taliban and Al-Qaeda

One of the most shocking revelations about USAID’s operations is its alleged $40 million per week cash flow into Afghanistan, where funds are reportedly being funneled to the Taliban and even Al-Qaeda.

The Allegations

• U.S. Lawmakers Expose the Scheme: Two Republican lawmakers, Tim Burchett (Tennessee) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (Georgia), have publicly accused USAID of sending $40 million per week to Afghanistan, where the Taliban ultimately profits from the funds.
• Cash Flown In, Then Auctioned Off: Burchett stated, “Per week, $40 million in taxpayer money is ending up in the hands of the Taliban, and then it’s later being auctioned off. Cash is flown by charter jets into Afghanistan. It’s auctioned off to the Taliban in exchange for Afghan currency. From there, the Taliban will get it to the NGOs, who have to pay taxes on that money.”
• Funding Terrorism Under the Guise of Aid: This means U.S. taxpayer dollars are effectively subsidizing the Taliban’s regime, including its ties to Al-Qaeda, through a complex money-laundering scheme disguised as humanitarian assistance.

The Implications

• Direct Support for Terrorist Groups: If true, this would mean the U.S. government is indirectly funding the very groups it claims to fight in the War on Terror.
• Aid as a Weapon of Control: The Taliban imposes heavy taxes on NGOs operating in Afghanistan, meaning a significant portion of U.S. aid money is essentially extorted by the regime.
• A Broken System: This scandal exposes how USAID’s lack of oversight allows funds to be diverted to hostile entities, undermining its supposed mission of promoting stability.

The Hypocrisy of “Humanitarian Aid”

The U.S. government has repeatedly used USAID as a Trojan horse—delivering not just food and medicine, but also political subversion and, in some cases, funding terrorism. While preaching democracy, the U.S. has supported coups, rigged elections, and destabilized nations under the cover of “development assistance.”

Worse still, USAID often bypasses governments, directly funding NGOs and private entities, effectively creating a parallel governance system that weakens state sovereignty. This ensures that nations remain trapped in a cycle of dependency, unable to pursue truly independent policies.

Exposing the Wolf

USAID is not the benevolent charity it claims to be. It is a weapon of soft imperialism, designed to keep developing nations under Western control while masking intervention as humanitarianism. True development cannot come from an organization that serves the geopolitical agenda of a foreign power.

If nations across Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and beyond are to break free from neo-colonial domination, they must reject aid strings attached to political conditions and instead seek self-reliance, regional cooperation, and sovereign economic policies. The first step is recognizing USAID for what it truly is—a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

The choice is clear: Either accept the chains of disguised imperialism, or forge a path of true independence.