Haiti Defense Minister Jean Marc Berthier Antoine held a meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Taiwan in Haiti, Wen-Ji-ann Ku, to discuss bolstering the Haitian armed forces. The meeting has raised concern of the potential backlash from the People’s Republic of China, a member of the United Nations Security Council. The UN Security Council has backed sending the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti.
As reported in Diario Libre, the parties discussed Haitian army training and enhancing Haitian-Taiwanese cooperation in defense sectors. Berthier Antoine and Wen-Jiann Ku agreed to explore new opportunities to deepen this cooperation. Additionally, the ambassador pledged support to the Ministry in terms of personal protective equipment.
The meeting took place at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Champ de Mars, Port-au-Prince.
Taiwan asserted it has been the primary partner of the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H) since their reactivation in 2017.
“We reaffirm our commitment to continue and strengthen our cooperation to restore order in society and lay the foundations for national development,” stated Taiwan.
As reported, China traditionally refrains from engaging with countries that recognize Taiwan as a nation, a stance that could lead to tensions at the Security Council, where China holds veto power.
Currently, only 14 countries officially recognize Taiwan as an independent nation: Belize (1989), Guatemala (1960), Haiti (1956), Honduras (1965), Paraguay (1957), St. Kitts and Nevis (1983), Saint Lucia (1984-1997, 2007), St Vincent and the Grenadines (1981), Eswatini (1968), Vatican City (1942), Marshall Islands (1998), Nauru (1980-2002, 2005), Palau (1999), and Tuvalu (1979).
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Diario Libre
9 July 2024