WASHINGTON - The Trump administration said Monday it is easing previously announced cuts in hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the Central American nations of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala but will not allow new funding until those countries do more to reduce migrant flows to the United States. The State Department said that after a review of more than $615 million in assistance that President Donald Trump ordered in March to be cut entirely, it would go ahead with $432 million in projects and grants that had been previously approved. The remaining amount will be held in escrow pending consultations with Congress, it said. About $370 million in money from the 2018 budget will not be spent and instead will be moved to other projects, the State Department said. “Previously awarded grants and contracts will continue with current funding,” department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.

Source: thestar June 17, 2019 19:45 UTC