Baku: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced on Wednesday his intention to present a “portfolio” to US President Donald Trump’s administration, detailing alleged illegal activities conducted by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Azerbaijan. This move follows Baku’s notification to Washington in early February regarding the termination of USAID’s operations within the country.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the Azerbaijani general prosecutor is currently investigating USAID’s activities, which are suspected of undermining the Azerbaijani government and interfering in the nation’s internal affairs. President Aliyev stated that preliminary findings indicate significant anti-Azerbaijani actions and interference attempts. He assured that once the investigation is complete, the findings will be submitted to the Trump administration, urging them to address what he described as corruption within USAID and its leadership.
In related developments, Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Congress in early February about an ongoing review of USAID’s foreign assistance activities. This review aims at a potential reorganization. By late March, Rubio announced Congress had been informed of the State Department’s plan to assume some of USAID’s functions and phase out others by July 1. He noted that USAID had long strayed from its original mission, and it was essential for the State Department to realign its efforts with US national interests while preserving critical humanitarian programs.