USAID, a “soft power” agency of the federal government, which awards grants to developing nations for education, health, and conservation of the environment, was among the first casualties during Trump’s two-year term. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, spent an early-February weekend “feeding USAID in the woodchipper,” as per his post X is a “scam” because he has an unfounded belief. This has led to the termination of almost all of the staff, and the cancellation or 83% of the agency’s programs. And while the agency was best known for its health initiatives–one study estimates that 14 million people could die by 2030 as a direct result of this pullback—USAID has also been doing critical work that directly impacts travelers since the 1960s, including establishing and maintaining national parks and conservation areas around the globe.
Amazonia was probably the worst hit in terms of funding for biodiversity. The funding freeze is over $70 million in grants for conservation projects in Colombia alone–mostly in and around Guaviare, where rapid deforestation jeopardizes decades of progress for endangered species.
Guaviare has some of the most diverse biodiverse areas on the planet. It is home to five different colored rivers, which are characterized by an aquatic plant that only grows there. There are lagoons nearby where the famous pink river Dolphins of the continent are much friendlier than those in the Amazon River. They will swim up to boats or jump and splash around, and even pull vehicles through oxbow lakes.
Ecotourism is a great way to encourage villagers to stop deforestation, poaching and protect dolphins and the habitats they live in. To become a global destination, the area needed to create an infrastructure that would cater to international tourists, who have higher expectations for food and accommodation than local visitors. USAID grants helped to create local interest in tourism. “These are the places that are most important to go, because they really need that cashflow to get their business started and going,” says Mogollón. “Many people will come from abroad to show the locals the gems that they are living in.”
Colombia’s visitor number has increased. spiked to a record high The number of visitors to Guaviare is expected to increase by 25 percent in 2023. Roberto Gomez was the USAID funded anti-logging program’s manager. “We were starting to make small enterprises to bring tourists to the place to know and interact with the river dolphins as well as to understand the importance for forest conservation to these species,” he said. Amazon Alive Up to March 31
It was incredibly frustrating for Mogollón and Gomez, then, when the promised funding suddenly vanished, leaving local participants in their programs with a deep sense of betrayal. Gomez says that it took a lot of time and effort for them to realize the potential of ecotourism as a source of income. “Suddenly, they lose their money. It’s like you duped me. You said something false.”
