By Sue-Ann Wayow
US SECRETARY of State Antony Blinken is calling on all international partners to assist Haiti to ensure that the state has a monopoly on the use of force.
Blinken on Wednesday met with Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry at the US Chief of Mission, Residence in Port of Spain to discuss Haiti violent situation.
Before their meeting Blinken and Henry made brief public statements.
Blinken said, “It’s imperative, I think, for the international community to come together in support of Haiti, in support of efforts to build genuinely inclusive, consensus-based governance in support of efforts to build security forces that ensure that the state has a monopoly on the use of force and provide security for the Haitian people and comes together to make sure that the Haitian people have a real chance, a real opportunity to move their country forward.”
Pledging continued support for the Haitian people he said the US strongly support the Haitian National Police in its efforts to combat gang influence, to maintain basic security in Haiti, and to prevent community violence over the long term.
In 2021, the State Department allocated nearly $100 million for security in Haiti.
“Going forward, we’re also focused on humanitarian assistance, providing significant sums to, again, try to help the Haitian people in a time of need,” Blinken said.
Speaking via an interpreter, Henry thanked Blinken for his supportive words saying that the security and humanitarian aid was very precious to Haiti.
“We particularly appreciate your support to help us get on the path to democracy in Haiti,” he said.
Henry said, “Currently, the country is facing a lot of violence. We’re also facing a humanitarian crisis into food insecurity. We came here to CARICOM to seek support and now we’re coming to you – we need support in order to keep going on this path. We thank you for this meeting and we hope it will be a positive one.”
Both Blinken and Henry are in Trinidad as CARICOM commemorates its 50th anniversary.
Blinken’s statements were also similar to those of United Nations (UN) Secretary General António Guterres made on Monday during a press conference with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley concerning Haiti.
