Trump redirects $52 million in military aid from North Macedonia to Latin America
The administration informed Congress it will move $52 million previously approved for North Macedonia and three others to Panama, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia.
President Donald Trump’s administration has notified Congress that it will divert $52 million in previously approved military assistance away from North Macedonia, Slovakia, Tunisia and Iraq to several countries in Latin America, according to U.S. officials. The move came despite objections and a formal congressional hold placed by leading Democrats on the foreign affairs committees.
Legal and strategic dispute
Officials said the administration informed Congress late on Wednesday that the funds would be reallocated to Panama, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Representative Gregory Meeks had placed a formal hold after the State Department first signaled the intent in September.
Lawmakers who signed a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued that the transfer violates the intent of the congressional restriction and the statutes governing where the money may be spent. They stressed the appropriations were made specifically in response to the war in Ukraine—measures Congress approved in 2022 to help allies acquire U.S. equipment instead of Russian arms.
The administration frames the decision as part of a broader downsizing of U.S. forces and spending in Europe and a Pentagon review that could reshape U.S. basing on the continent. Critics say it challenges Congress’s constitutional power of the purse by redirecting funds to priorities unrelated to the original purpose.
The State Department told U.S. officials the money will better serve American interests in Latin America under the Trump doctrine prioritizing the Western Hemisphere. It said the reprogrammed funds are consistent with the National Security Strategy and will be used to combat narcoterrorism, secure the Panama Canal, strengthen security partnerships and counter military influence of adversaries in the region.
Officials noted that the allocations for Iraq and Tunisia were authorized under different legislation and thus are not subject to the same restrictions, but pulling aid comes at a sensitive moment for Baghdad amid tensions with Iran and U.S. troop withdrawals. Rubio is scheduled to travel to Greece next week to lead the U.S. delegation at the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Greece.
Photo: Fejsbuk)
