Congressmen from the United States have demanded that the nation do more to prevent the transfer of weapons to Haiti and to stop the forcible repatriation of migrants who are trying to escape the intensifying street violence and shortages of basic goods.
Democratic congresswomen Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Cori Bush, and Ayanna Pressley met with human rights advocates and Haitian organizations to advocate for increased oversight at Florida ports—which the UN believes are the main entry point for guns being trafficked to gangs that control most of the capital—as well as the extension of temporary protection status for migrants and a stop to deportations.
- Advertisement -
Amnesty International USA, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Family Action Network Movement, and Haitian Bridge Alliance leaders were among those present.
Following the resignation of unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry a month ago, Haitian armed groups have further tightened their hold on the Caribbean nation, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as residents endure daily gunfire, ports remain closed, hospitals lack essential supplies, and food stores run out.
Other than stepping up border security, there hasn’t been any response from other countries.
Cherfilus-McCormick – Congress’ only Haitian-American representative stated, “We have to do everything we can as Americans to not continue to support the gangs by giving them the ammunition they need to terrorize the Haitian people.”
In addition, Cherfilus-McCormick urged parliamentarians to cooperate to free up the majority of the $300 million that the government had promised to fund a security force in Haiti. This force is tasked with assisting law enforcement in reopening channels for humanitarian supplies.
Since Henry announced on March 11 that he would step down, the process of electing a new government for Haiti has been delayed for more than a month. This is because the departing cabinet has not yet approved the publication of a decree that would formalize the transfer of power. However, the force has been placed on hold during this time.
At the meeting, activists also demanded an explanation from the US government regarding the potential use of Guantanamo Bay to manage immigration, following Southern Command General Laura Richardson’s remarks last month about a “contingency plan” involving the US naval base on the island of Cuba, without providing any additional information.
The facility last housed refugees from Haiti and Cuba in the 1990s, when it came to light as the place where hundreds of individuals who were trying to escape a coup d’état were imprisoned.
Following terrible cholera epidemics and sex abuse scandals from earlier U.N. missions—for which reparations were never made—many Haitians remain skeptical of foreign involvement.
Many nations combined their powers to tackle the French-speaking Caribbean nation that is facing a humanitarian crisis, with the highest level of starvation which is famine. As gangs control the country’s capital civilians seek various ways to exit the country and migrate to the nearest country for a chance of survival.
