The suspension of USAID funding has affected more than 60 civil society actors in Peru, putting at risk projects projects related to democracy, human rights, governance, the environment, and the fight against drugs. This measure has not only impacted the funding of civil society actors but has also triggered additional threats, as the government seeks to discredit civil society.
Following the suspension, President Dina Boluarte, during a speech on February 6 at the presentation ceremony of the Master’s Degree in Human Rights at CAEN, accused civil society actors of using international cooperation funds to defend criminals instead of supporting security forces. She also claimed that they were weakening security and democracy. Various organizations rejected these statements, denouncing them as an attempt to delegitimize civil society and calling for greater transparency.
Additionally, Mayor Rafael López Aliaga on February 6 during an interview on Canal N made an allegation against the NGO Manuela Ramos for misuse of USAID funds, followed by a notarised letter sent to the organisation on February 9, demanding that they retract their statements, which he claimed were false.
These attacks on civil society actors have further intensified a hostile climate for civil society in the country. This narrative not only undermines their work and restricts their participation in public policy formulation but could also lead to regulatory limitations and funding restrictions.