U.S. Embassy in Tirana hints at withdrawal of officials assisting SPAK amid aid freeze
The U.S. Embassy in Tirana has not denied claims that American officials assisting Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) have left the country. In response to an inquiry from Opinion, on TV Klan, the embassy did not confirm nor refute the reports but pointed to a broader aid suspension ordered by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which temporarily halts all State Department and USAID-funded international assistance for review.
Why is this important: The lack of a clear denial suggests that rumors of a possible withdrawal of U.S. experts, which could affect SPAK’s operations are true raising questions about the future of U.S. involvement in Albania’s justice reform. The aid freeze reflects a policy shift under President Donald Trump, focusing on ensuring that U.S. foreign assistance aligns strictly with American national interests.
Context: During a segment on Opinion, journalist Blendi Fevziu read an email exchange between the show’s producers and the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Office. The embassy’s response did not directly address whether American experts assisting SPAK had left but instead referred to a State Department announcement on the aid freeze:
“Secretary Rubio has suspended all international aid funded by or through the State Department and USAID for review. He is beginning a reassessment of all international aid programs to ensure they are effective and align with U.S. foreign policy under the ‘America First’ agenda.”
The statement also echoed President Donald Trump’s stance that U.S. funding should only be granted when it directly benefits American taxpayers:
“The mandate from the American people was clear: we must align with U.S. national interests. The State Department and USAID take their role as stewards of taxpayer dollars very seriously. Every dollar we spend must be justified by three simple questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?”
What’s next: While the embassy has not explicitly confirmed the departure of U.S. experts, the lack of denial, combined with the ongoing aid freeze, could signal a shift in U.S. engagement with Albania’s judicial reform efforts.
So far, Albanian authorities have not commented on the implications, but given SPAK’s reliance on U.S. expertise and financial support, this development could become a key issue in ongoing political debates over judicial independence and corruption investigations.
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