WASHINGTON -- Heritage Foundation Vice President Vice President for National Security and Foreign Policy James Carafano released the following response to President Donald Trump’s selection of Assistant Administrator John Barsa as acting administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID):

"John Barsa is a principled conservative and an excellent choice to serve as the new leader of the U.S. Agency for International Development. In this new capacity, he can promote the president’s agenda for aligning foreign aid with U.S. national interests.

 

"Prior this appointment, Barsa was confirmed by the Senate to lead the Latin America and Caribbean bureau at USAID where he worked to restore democracy in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The bureau also did critical development projects in Central, South America and the Caribbean. Before USAID, he served at the Department of Homeland Security and played a key role in the reconstruction efforts in Puerto Rico in aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

 

"The Heritage Foundation has worked closely with Barsa, and our teams are thrilled to see him step into this new role at USAID. We are grateful for Administrator Mark Green’s leadership at USAID and look forward to continuing working with him in his new role at the McCain Institute."