WASHINGTON _ The U.S. Agency for International Development is pushing back against claims by Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro that millions of U.S. aid dollars have gone to personally enrich his chief political rival, Juan Guaido, and his associates.
Guaido, recognized by the United States and 59 other nations as Venezuela's legitimate leader, has been in Washington this week for a series of high-level meetings with President Donald Trump, top U.S. administration officials and bipartisan congressional leadership.
He met with the USAID administrator, Mark Green, on Thursday to discuss the matter, Green told McClatchy in a phone interview.
Alongside their teams, the two men "talked about ways to more effectively remind people" of USAID's stated purpose: providing aid to those most in need.
"We discussed what we're all observing: Maduro's efforts to weaponize disinformation, to try to mischaracterize USAID's assistance," Green said, describing Maduro's reign as a "kleptocracy."
Maduro's grip on power in Venezuela has led nearly 5 million people _ 16% of its population _ to flee the country, creating the world's greatest humanitarian crisis and the largest ever in the Western Hemisphere.
"No money is going from USAID to Juan Guaido personally," Green continued. "We work to try to get assistance directly to those in need."
USAID has long been accused by Russia, Cuba and governments hostile to the United States of serving as a branch of the Central Intelligence Agency. Russian media published several Spanish-language articles in recent weeks claiming as much.
The Trump administration has provided $656 million in humanitarian and development aid to Venezuelans, of which USAID has provided more than $437 million, the agency said in a press statement released earlier on Thursday.
"This assistance flows through contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements to qualified implementing partners, which include faith-based and community organizations; private-sector firms; colleges and universities; United Nations agencies and other international organizations; and non-profit, non-governmental groups," the statement read. "USAID has not provided any funds directly to elected members of the Venezuelan National Assembly, high-level officials of the Guaido Administration, Venezuelan Ambassadors, or the Interim President himself."
The origin of the most recent rumors appears to be a July 2019 report from the Los Angeles Times. The article quotes a congressional aide claiming that the redirection of USAID funds would "pay the salaries of Guaido and his officials." USAID did not respond to the report at the time.
At the State Department on Thursday, Elliott Abrams, Trump's special representative on Venezuela, also addressed the matter, telling reporters that he is unaware how Guaido's salary is paid.
"I hear all the time from ambassadors representing President Guaido who tell me, 'I'm going to have to leave in two weeks or four weeks because there is no salary and I am running out of money,'" Abrams said. "I hear from Guaido representatives who say, 'I don't have an office. I'm working out of my bedroom, out of my living room.' So for anybody who thinks there's a lot of money sloshing around, that's completely, completely false."
In the interview, Green said that he anticipates additional announcements of funding in the coming weeks, after Trump authorized a whole-of-government response to the escalating crisis.
"That support will continue," Green said. "I would anticipate that we would continue to provide resources, and announce those resources."
He also said that the Trump administration intends to increase its pressure on European Union allies _ not only to apply greater sanctions on the Maduro regime, but to increase humanitarian aid for refugees and migrants, as well.
"I think, sometimes, our friends in Europe and elsewhere aren't as close to the crisis, and don't see it in such vivid terms as we do. Those of us who have met with Venezuelans who have been forced to flee _ your heart goes out to them and their tremendous suffering," Green said.
"We're working hard to reach out to our partners and help them understand both the crisis we all see, but also the hope we all see from Guaido and his team," he added.
But what struck Green about Guaido _ whom he first met one year ago, in Bogota, shortly after the United States recognized the Venezuelan National Assembly head as the nation's interim president _ was not only his high spirit, but also his physical stamina.
Trump administration officials have repeatedly warned the Maduro government against thwarting Guaido's return to the country _ a constant threat whenever the opposition leader crosses its borders.
Despite those stresses, Guaido took time to shake hands and take photos with USAID officers that have been anonymously working on the Venezuela file.
"As a recovering politician myself, I was impressed," Green said. "I found that touching, for a man who's very much on the move."
