Rubio made the statement after the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was ordered to halt all its existing programs. As Elon Musk’s associates gained access to the agency’s internal infrastructure, Rubio was appointed the interim head of USAID.
The secretary noted that certain USAID initiatives were exempted from the suspension, including those in Costa Rica, as their programs contribute to combating drug trafficking, crime, and terrorism.
"They are stopping drugs; they are stopping criminals; they are identifying terrorists,” said Rubio.
“This is foreign aid that supports national interests. We have questions about other programs. But we have also issued exemptions because we do not want anyone to die or suffer in the short term.”
According to him, humanitarian aid, particularly food and medicine supplies, will continue, while other initiatives will be reassessed. The secretary added that international aid should serve U.S. national interests rather than be considered charity.
“Every dollar we spend, while I am Secretary of State and while President [Donald] Trump is in the White House, will be a dollar that advances our national interests,” Rubio stated.
“And you see that here today. These are programs that work; this is the foreign aid we should be doing.”
Rubio also expressed concern about the transparency of USAID program funding. He noted that Congress did not have access to detailed spending information, and funds often passed through multiple contractors before reaching end recipients.
As of September 2024, USAID administered $3.9 billion in aid to Ukraine, with much of it ($1.5 billion) going towards financial assistance to war refugees.