US Administrations Earmarked Over $200 Million for Subversion Plans against Cuba Since 1997
News from Cuba | Sunday, 27 November 2011
From the Cuban News Agency
U.S. administrations since 1997 have earmarked more than $200 million for subversion plans against the Cuban government, reads an article published on Tuesday by the www.cubadebate. cu website.
The figure was released after a study carried out by Just the Facts, a civilian guide to the U.S Government's spending for Defense and Security Assistance in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The research took place between 2009 and 2010 and it came after critics questioned the efficiency of the Cuba programs, most of which are managed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The article by Cubadebate adds that, over the past few years, USAID paid a Washington D.C. firm at least $1.47 million to audit the agency's Cuba programs.
In March 2011, journalist Tracey Eaton, who manages the blog Cuba Money Project, requested a copy of the audit results through the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, and USAID replied earlier this month, sending him a 10-page report that omits most of the findings, recommendations and other key information.
"I find it impossible to believe that a $1.47 million audit didn't leave more of a paper trail," Eaton wrote after USAID said it could not find any other reports or paperwork related to the audit.
"That would mean that the 10 pages posted above cost taxpayers nearly $150,000 each," the journalist noted.
