Antony Blinken Pays a Visit to Haiti

Secretary Antony Blinken’s recent visit to Haiti underscores the urgency of addressing the gang violence and political instability crippling the nation.

At a Glance

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Haiti to support a multinational mission against gangs and push for general elections.
400 Kenyan police have been deployed to Haiti for a U.N.-backed mission to address gang violence.
The Haitian government extended a state of emergency nationwide due to ongoing violence.
Blinken announced $45 million in humanitarian aid for Haiti.

Blinken’s Mission: Support and Security

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a significant visit to Haiti, marking the highest-ranking U.S. official to go since 2015. His visit aimed to support a multinational mission geared towards tackling the rampant gang violence in the country and advocating for the organization of long-awaited general elections. During his visit, he met with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille, a transitional presidential council, political leaders, and security officials.

Blinken emphasized the need for more resources in a press availability, stating, “At this critical moment, we do need more funding, we do need more personnel to sustain and carry out the objectives of this mission.” Adding 400 Kenyan police to the U.N.-backed mission is seen as a crucial step in combating gang control. Blinken reviewed U.S.-provided military armored vehicles and met with Kenyan officers leading the international security mission.

Nationwide State of Emergency

Amid Blinken’s visit, Haiti extended its nationwide state of emergency due to ongoing violence. Since the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, gang violence has surged, further destabilizing the country. Gangs have attacked police stations, airports, and prisons, releasing over 4,000 inmates. This volatile environment underscores why Haiti has not held elections since 2016.

“The foundation for progress in Haiti has to be security,” Blinken said at a separate joint press availability with Dominican President Luis Abinader. “This has to be something that the authorities, the state and ultimately the Haitian people control, not the gangs.”

Blinken’s meeting with key Haitian leaders aimed to establish a clear path toward restoring democratic governance. The U.S. and Caribbean nations are collaborating to form a legitimate government with Conille as interim prime minister. Blinken expressed hope for Haiti’s future during his visit, acknowledging, “an enormous amount of work to be done.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken paid a rare visit to violence-ravaged Haiti to evaluate progress in wresting control from gangs that have taken over much of the impoverished Caribbean nation ➡️ https://t.co/7Tq0STCPua pic.twitter.com/bhT8NoulEj

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) September 5, 2024

U.S. and International Support

The Biden administration has committed $360 million to the multinational mission, though it will not send U.S. troops. Blinken announced an additional $45 million in humanitarian aid, supporting the idea of a U.N. peacekeeping operation to stabilize the country. Notably, he emphasized that taking back the streets from gangs is critical.

In addition to efforts in Haiti, Blinken’s visit included discussions with the Dominican Republic on economic ties, human rights, and regional security. He acknowledged the Dominican Republic’s strong economy and announced a $3 million USAID investment to improve workforce training and build industrial parks.