In Haiti, elections have been continuously postponed since 2011. El Caribe writes today that the recent statements by President Michel Martelly that the “deportations” from the Dominican Republic are causing chaos in the country is but a smoke screen.
Writes the editorialist in El Caribe:
“One has to recognize the political savvy of authorities in Haiti for the way they have orchestrated the latest smear campaign against the Dominican Republic regarding the immigration plan. The Haitian politicians have been especially adept at manipulating officials at the United Nations and Organization of American States into accepting the narrative of wide spread human rights abuses by the Dominican government of Haitians residing in the country. Several leaders of Caricom nations have also joined the chorus of criticizing the Dominican Republic for its immigration program, despite evidence that these same Caricom countries have adopted and implemented policies that are openly intolerant of the illegal migration of Haitians into their countries. Not only has this charade being promoted by Haitian officials been effective in manipulating public opinion against the Dominican government, it has also has been used as fodder to disguise the political and economic turmoil that has surrounded the proposed congressional and presidential elections in Haiti scheduled later this year. These elections have been periodically postponed due to a chaotic social and economic environment that has led to political instability in the country. Indeed, one of the most “convincing” arguments that Martelly is using in denouncing the “mass deportations” of his compatriots is the threat that these deportees will pose to “destabilize the country and the economy and jeopardize peace and regional security”.
The editorialist writes: “The reality is, however, that the reports of mass deportations are nothing more than fiction. Careful and systematic investigations of the accusations against the Dominican Republic being advanced by the Haitian leaders will be discovered to be merely a smokescreen.”