DOGE canceled a grant for alpaca farming, claiming nearly $1M, but IAF records indicate only a $275,510 grant was issued. The discrepancy raises questions about the origin of DOGE’s figure, as no additional grants have been documented. The IAF was tasked with supporting alpaca farming through AASUPASI, a women-led association.
The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) granted $275,510 to a Peruvian association focused on supporting alpaca farmers in 2023. However, DOGE stated that it canceled a grant of nearly $1 million for alpaca farming, raising questions about the validity of that claim. There is a discrepancy in DOGE’s numbers, as the only known IAF grant for alpaca farming amounts to $275,510, not the $903,811 alleged by DOGE.
On March 4, 2025, DOGE announced via social media that the IAF, a U.S. agency aiding community development in Latin America, would be downsized to one employee, resulting in several grant cancellations. This decision stemmed from an executive order issued by President Trump aimed at reducing bureaucratic agencies. Consequently, DOGE attributed a noteworthy cancellation of $903,811 for alpaca farming to IAF.
However, records from usaspending.gov indicate that the only grant awarded to the Artesanos Asociados Sumac Pallay Sibayo (AASUPASI) for alpaca farmers was the $275,510 grant, with $161,165 having been disbursed thus far. The origin of DOGE’s $903,811 figure remains unclear, as it is not listed among the canceled grants on DOGE’s “Wall of Receipts.” Subsequently, inquiries have been made to both AASUPASI and DOGE for further clarification.
The IAF describes AASUPASI as a “women-led Collagua Indigenous association” that empowers smallholder alpaca farmers and artisans in the Peru highlands. The IAF supported the project with an objective to enhance the resilience of these communities. The project reportedly received an additional $518,405 in counterpart commitments, although the source of this funding requires further clarification.
Ultimately, the IAF grants are primarily focused on AASUPASI and do not include any other alpaca farming initiatives in Peru, as confirmed by their official website. The agency, established by Congress in 1969, had a budget of approximately $60 million in fiscal year 2024, supporting 426 projects in that year alone.
In summary, the claims regarding a $903,811 grant for alpaca farming by DOGE are not substantiated by available data. The legitimate grant from the IAF to AASUPASI, a women’s collective supporting alpaca farmers, is noted at $275,510. Further clarification regarding DOGE’s figures remains pending, signaling potential inaccuracies in their reporting.
Original Source: www.snopes.com
