U.S. claims success of Nicaragua aid program

A total of 15,000 jobs were created and at least 120,000 people were directly benefited in Nicaragua during past five years under a U.S.-funded program that ends Thursday, the program's head said.

The Challenge Account of the Millennium (CRM) program, including projects such as road infrastructure, regularization of properties and business promotion, has been implemented in 23 towns of two provinces in western Nicaragua, CRM general director in Nicaragua Juan Chamorro said at a press conference.

The program, with a total cost of 113 million U.S. dollars, was aimed at boosting development in livestock, agriculture and forest sectors, and cutting poverty.

U.S. ambassador to Nicaragua Roberto Callahan said his government is ready to sign a new agreement with Nicaragua to carry out more similar programs, but under certain conditions related to "promotion of democracy".

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