ELON MUSK’S USAID SHUTDOWN: WHAT IT MEANS FOR ST. KITTS AND NEVIS :NO COMMENT FROM PM DR. TERRANCE DREW

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) —
Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and a close advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, sent shockwaves through the global community on Monday with his announcement that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will be “shutting down” immediately. The decision, which Musk described as a necessary step to “eliminate waste and corruption,” has already caused chaos within the organization and sparked widespread criticism.
Employees at USAID, which provides humanitarian aid and development assistance to over 120 countries, were instructed via email not to report to work. Hundreds of staffers were locked out of their computer systems as the agency’s operations ground to a halt, ABC News reported.
Musk, who called USAID “a criminal organization,” confirmed that he had personally discussed the shutdown with Trump. “I went over it with him in detail, and he agreed that we should shut it down,” Musk stated during a live discussion on his X online platform.
IMPACT ON ST. KITTS AND NEVIS AND THE WIDER CARIBBEAN
USAID has long been a key supporter of economic and social development initiatives across the Caribbean, funding programs in healthcare, agriculture, climate resilience, and education. The abrupt shutdown of the agency raises serious concerns about the future of these programs and the broader economic implications for small island nations like St. Kitts and Nevis.
In recent years, USAID has provided assistance to St. Kitts and Nevis in areas such as disaster preparedness and food security. The agency has also played a role in strengthening local institutions and supporting economic growth initiatives. With its closure, there are fears that vital funding for these programs will disappear, leaving the government scrambling to find alternative sources of support.
Economic experts warn that the loss of USAID funding could have a domino effect, exacerbating economic vulnerabilities in the region. “Without USAID’s financial support, key development projects in St. Kitts and Nevis and other Caribbean nations may be delayed or abandoned altogether,” said international relations analyst Dr. Marcus Bennet. “This could set back progress in critical areas such as climate adaptation, public health, and job creation.”
POLITICAL SILENCE FROM PM DREW
While leaders across the Caribbean have begun voicing concerns about the fallout from USAID’s shutdown, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has yet to comment on the potential impact on St. Kitts and Nevis. His silence has left many in the business and development sectors anxious about the government’s response—if any—to this unfolding crisis.
“We need answers,” said a prominent local business owner who wished to remain anonymous. “This decision by Musk and Trump could have serious consequences for our economy and social programs. The government should be reassuring the people and outlining a plan to deal with the impact.”
With uncertainty mounting, the region waits to see whether CARICOM will step in with a unified response to address the looming economic challenges posed by Musk’s radical move. Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers and international leaders continue to challenge the legality of shutting down USAID, with some calling it an unconstitutional overreach of executive power.
As St. Kitts and Nevis watches the situation unfold, one thing is certain—without USAID, the Caribbean may face a future of increased economic uncertainty and hardship.

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