Blinken in Haiti to address gang violence, support security efforts

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken arrived in Port-au-Prince on Thursday, aiming to bolster international efforts to liberate the nation from the clutches of violent gangs that have plunged it into chaos.

During his visit, Blinken plans to evaluate the progress of a Kenyan-led security force, which is supported by the United Nations and was deployed to Haiti this summer.

The primary objective of this force is to assist the Haitian police as they confront the gangs that have established brutal regimes in vast areas of the country, often employing tactics of torture, rape, and murder to exert control.

Haiti’s descent into criminal anarchy has become one of the most pressing challenges for the Biden administration and the global community, particularly as it competes for attention amidst crises in the Middle East and Europe.

The country’s troubles are compounded by a history of failed interventions by both the United States and the United Nations, which have often worsened the situation rather than alleviating it.

The legacy of colonialism and previous missteps in foreign assistance have led the U.S. to take a more supportive stance in the current situation, backing Kenya’s deployment of approximately 400 police officers.

This number falls significantly short of the planned 2,500 personnel, with at least six other nations expressing intentions to contribute to this international security effort.

Blinken’s visit marks a significant moment, as he is the first American Secretary of State to travel to Haiti in nearly a decade. U.S. officials have indicated that he will assess the effectiveness of the security mission, which has yet to significantly challenge the dominance of heavily armed gangs that continue to wreak havoc across the nation, blocking roads, emptying prisons, and launching attacks on police facilities.