Haiti In Crisis: U.S. Urge A Political Transition Should Begin
The government of Haiti declared a state of emergency on Sunday evening March 3, 2024, in the aftermath of violent encounters in the capitol city of Port-au-Prince which led to two prison breaks as major gang leaders sought to overthrow Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The two jail breaks allowed more than 3,000 dangerous criminals, including murderers and kidnappers, to escape back on to the streets of the violence-stricken nation. Prime Minister Henry was out of state, meeting with United Nations officials (UN) to salvage support for UN-backed security forces to stabilize his country. The emergency decree was issued after a deadly weekend that marked a new low in Haiti’s spiral of violence.
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Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry Resigns
The government that I am leading cannot remain indifferent to this situation. There is no sacrifice too big for our country. –Prime Minister Ariel Henry
“After the Council of Ministers tonight accepted to put into place a transitional presidential council, the members of the council will be picked after agreement with different sectors of national life. The government I am running will remove itself immediately after the establishment of said council...” Prime Minster Henry will remain in office until an interim government is established.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Caribbean Leaders Meeting, Nassau The Bahamas June 8, 2023 - Commits $100 Million In New Investment In The Region
U.S. Justice Department Expects to Appoint a Coordinator to Oversee Cases Involving Illegal Weapons Smuggling in the Caribbean
Nassau, The Bahamas - United States Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas on Thursday, June 8, 2023 and meet with Caribbean Leaders. The Vice President and the Leaders discussed the illicit firearms trafficking and rising levels of crime in the region, climate issues and the security crisis in Haiti. The meeting coincided with National Caribbean American Heritage Month, celebrate in June annually. Hosting the United States-Caribbean Meeting was Prime Minister Philip Davis of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, who current chairs the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The meeting continued the dialog when Vice President Harris me with Caribbean leaders in April 2022, at the June 2022 Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, and in September 2022. The Vice President’s trip delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance cooperation with the Caribbean in pursuit of shared prosperity and security, and in recognition of the common bonds and interests between our nations. The trip also delivers on Vice President Harris’ commitment to meet with Caribbean Leaders at least once a year.
As part of the initiatives announced, the U.S. Justice Department expects to appoint a coordinator to oversee cases involving illegal weapons smuggling in the Caribbean as island nations report a rise in violent crimes. In addition, the State Department vowed to help improve forensic work in the region, help strengthen local police departments and support a unit based in Trinidad and Tobago aimed at helping islands solve gun-related cases and provide training for the collection and analysis of related intelligence.
The Caribbean is often referred to as “The Third Border.” The United States-Caribbean Meeting addressed a range of regional issues, particularly, continuing discussions on shared efforts to address the climate crisis, including by promoting climate resilience and by increasing energy security through clean energy. Most importantly, the meeting builds on the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC 2030), launched by the Vice President and Caribbean leaders in Los Angeles at the Summit of the Americas.