On Monday, after meeting with Caribbean leaders in Jamaica, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a $100 million multinational force to Haiti.
Blinken also pledged an additional $33 million in humanitarian aid and a “presidential university” agreement agreed by Caribbean leaders and “all Haitian stakeholders” to facilitate a political transition, according to the Associated Press. They also announced the creation of a joint proposal to create a.
The meeting in Jamaica was organized by members of the regional trade bloc known as CARICOM, which has been calling for the formation of a transitional government in Haiti for months as protests there demand the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Henry said Tuesday he would step down after an interim presidential council is established.
“It is clear that Haiti is now at a tipping point,” Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said, according to the Associated Press. “We are deeply concerned that it is already too late for so many people who have lost so much at the hands of criminal organizations.”
Haiti imposes curfew after thousands of ‘violent inmates’ escape from armed group
Members of the National Palace General Security Force USGPN set up a security perimeter around one of three downtown train stations on Saturday, March 9, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after police repelled a gang attack the previous day. . , 2024. (AP Photo/Oderin Joseph)
A powerful gang continues to attack key government targets across Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Since February 29, armed groups have torched police stations, shut down a major international airport, attacked the country’s two largest prisons and released more than 4,000 prisoners.
Last week, U.S. citizens in Haiti were told to leave the country as soon as possible and a travel warning was issued for the Caribbean country.
Armed group escapes 4,000 prisoners in Haiti after days of gun battle with police
Antony Blinken poses for a photo with Jamaican Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson-Smith (right), Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, and U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica N. Nick Perry (left) during a meeting on Haiti at the Heads of Government meeting. Secretary of State. Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Kingston, Jamaica, Monday, March 11, 2024. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, Pool via AP)
Scores of people have been killed and more than 15,000 people are left homeless after fleeing areas hit by gang attacks. Food and water supplies are dwindling as food stalls and stores selling to poor Haitians run out of food. Port-au-Prince’s main port remains closed, leaving dozens of containers loaded with vital supplies stranded.
Late Monday, the Haitian government announced it would extend a curfew until March 14 to prevent further attacks.
Armed members of the G9 and Family gangs roll and burn tires on barricades in the Delmas 6 neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, March 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Oderin Joseph)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is calling for the urgent deployment of a multinational force and adequate funding for the mission, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
Current funding is just $10.8 million, but Kenyan authorities are asking for more than $230 million.
Inmates wave at the National Penitentiary in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, March 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Oderin Joseph)
Mr. Enley did not attend the Jamaica conference. He was barred from his country while traveling abroad due to escalating violence.
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A brief statement from the U.S. territory’s State Department said Henry remained in Puerto Rico and was taking steps to return to Haiti if possible.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
