The United States will not interfere in Haitian affairs. As reported in Le Nouvelliste, Ambassador Todd D. Robinson, who is Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INL) announced in a press conference on Tuesday, 9 November 2021 speaking at the US Embassy in Haiti that it is up to Haitians to ensure the country’s internal security.
“There are authorities in Haiti who are responsible for the internal security of Haiti, including the Haitian National Police (PNH). We have a long tradition of working closely with the PNH. We will continue that collaboration. We will continue to work with members of the government on this problem of insecurity. But, at the end of the day, it is not the community that will intervene to save Haiti. It will be the Haitians, the Haitian authorities and the PNH. These are the people who are responsible for the security of the country,” he said, as reported in Le Nouvelliste.
The INL assistant secretary of state also reacted to the request to send US troops made by voices in Haiti and abroad. “I do not have any data about sending troops to Haiti. We are working with the PNH on security issues,” he said.
He clarified a statement made by a White House spokeswoman who had mentioned US assistance in Haiti to facilitate the distribution of petroleum products, kept in areas controlled by gangs. “The White House statement was misinterpreted. The United States is willing to accompany the national police for the security of the country in general. If there is a need to secure roads for the transportation of fuel, we will do so. But our goal is to work with the PNH on security in general. We are in constant contact with the police and the fuel sellers. We do what we can on this issue,” he said.
Todd D. Robinson is on a two-day visit to Haiti during which he will meet with Prime Minister Ariel Henry, Minister of Justice and Public Security Liszt Quitel, who is also Minister of Interior, and the DG of Police Frantz Elbé to discuss security in Haiti. Robinson described his visit to Haiti as a demonstration of the willingness of the United States to support the national police in its efforts to improve the security of citizens and protect the lives of Haitians.
“During this trip, I have the opportunity to witness firsthand the cooperation between the Haitian government and the US government in providing security assistance. We are proud to contribute to the growth of the PNH as a responsible professional institution and to the strengthening of its capacity through training, equipment and advisors.
As reported in Le Nouvelliste, he said the INL’s long-term goal in Haiti is to help the national police develop as a responsible, professional institution capable of managing the country’s internal security.
“Haiti faces many challenges. However, gangs pose the greatest threat to the daily security of citizens. The US government takes this threat extremely seriously. Combating gang violence and influence is INL’s number one priority in Haiti. In the short term, we are developing new efforts to help the HNP combat gangs. At the same time, in the long term, we continue to implement community development programs and gang prevention programs. We continue to help the police build their institutional capacity,” Robinson said, according to Le Nouvelliste.
The Assistant Secretary of State also spoke about the delivery of equipment to the PNH. “Today I am proud to announce that INL recently donated 19 vehicles to support the efforts of the national police. These vehicles are a first shipment of 60 vehicles that we plan to provide in the coming months. In addition, 200 sets of protective equipment will be delivered in the coming days. Like the vehicles, this equipment will be assigned to units that fight gangs and will help protect communities and maintain law and order,” he said.
Todd D. Robinson said the United States is working closely with the Haitian authorities and PNH to secure the release of the 16 Americans and the Canadian held by the 400 Mawozo gang.
Previously, on 8 November 2021: Ned Price, spokesperson for the INL, had stated at a press conference in the US when asked for an update on the situation of the US hostages in Haiti:
“I’m not in a position to confirm that, and I’m not in a position to confirm that chiefly because the resolution of these cases oftentimes relies on this activity taking place out of public sight, out of public view. And that is exactly the way we’ve been engaging with the organization, the missionary organization at the center of this. It’s how we’ve been engaging with our Haitian counterparts, including the Haitian National Police, the most senior Haitian authorities as well, including with the Canadian Government, given that one of the hostages is a Canadian citizen. So, our embassy in Port-au-Prince, our senior officials here, have continued to be very focused on this. But I just don’t have an update to offer publicly.”
Three Dominican truckers are also held hostage by the Haitian gangs. As reported, 49 truckers have been kidnapped. Now truckers unload their cargo to Haitian truckers at the border.
Read more:
Le Nouvelliste
Miami Herald
San Francisco Gate
INL
10 November 2021