Washington shifts funds from Europe, the Middle East and North Africa as Trump administration increases focus on the Western Hemisphere
by the El Reportero wire services
The Trump administration is redirecting $52 million in U.S. military assistance previously allocated to four countries in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, sending the funds instead to Panama, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia as Washington increases its security focus on Latin America.
The State Department notified Congress this week that the money will be reprogrammed from Foreign Military Financing previously intended for Slovakia, North Macedonia, Tunisia and Iraq.
The Foreign Military Financing program, known as FMF, provides U.S. funds to eligible foreign governments for the purchase of American defense equipment, services and military training.
According to the State Department, the previous distribution of the money did not reflect the Trump administration’s increased emphasis on the Western Hemisphere. Officials said the additional assistance will support efforts against drug trafficking and narcoterrorism and help strengthen security surrounding the Panama Canal.
The administration also said the funding is intended to prevent foreign adversaries from gaining strategic positions in the region. Although officials did not specifically identify China in that statement, Washington has repeatedly expressed concern about Beijing’s growing economic and strategic presence throughout Latin America.
The decision follows Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent trip to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, where he pledged additional U.S. support as the administration expands cooperation with governments in the region.
The transfer represents a significant shift in geographic priorities rather than an increase in overall military assistance. The $52 million is being moved from previously allocated funds rather than created through new spending.
Slovakia and North Macedonia, both members of NATO, as well as Tunisia and Iraq, are not expected to lose all U.S. Foreign Military Financing. However, the exact amounts they will retain after the reallocation have not been publicly disclosed.
The move illustrates the Trump administration’s broader effort to place Latin America closer to the center of U.S. foreign policy, particularly on drug trafficking, migration, regional security and competition with outside powers.
– Sources: Associated Press; U.S. Department of State reporting.
