The subversive actions implemented against Cuba by the US Agency for International Development, aimed at generating opposition among Cuban youth, were described as imprudent and stupid by Democratic senator Patrick Leahy.
The Vermont Congress member, who is chairman of the Budget Committee for the State Department and Foreign Assistance Operations, commented in a communique released yesterday that USAID never notified Congress acout those activities.
"They should have never be involved in such incompetent and irresponsible matters. It is simply stupid," he said.
According to a recent investigation revealed by The Associated Press news agency, USAID tried to recruit dozens of Cuban musicians through alleged cultural programs, but with the secret intention to generate a movement of hip-hop singers and followers to oppose the Cuban Government.
According to AP, the covert USAID agents filmed television programs and created a social network to connect some 200 Cuban musicians and artists whom they encouraged to found a social movement to oppose Cuban authorities.
Some artists were taken to Europe to appear in concerts and attend workshops given by video with the real purpose to train them as opposition activists, according to press reports.
Republican senator Jeff Flake, who has repeatedly criticized USAID programs against Cuba, also considered that "those actions have gone from stupid to be considered an absolutely irresponsible spending of US taxpayers' money.