US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's upcoming visit to Haiti underscores the Biden administration’s efforts to address the escalating crisis in the Caribbean nation, where gang violence has spiraled out of control, leading to widespread displacement and suffering. Blinken's discussions with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and the transition council will be pivotal in reinforcing the international community's commitment to stabilizing Haiti through a UN-backed security mission. This mission, led by Kenya, aims to help restore order in a country where gangs have taken control of large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and continue to terrorize the population through violent crimes, including kidnappings, extortion, and mass killings.
Haiti's plight has deepened over the past few years, with nearly 5 million of its 11.7 million citizens facing acute hunger and 1.6 million at risk of starvation, according to the United Nations. The gang violence has displaced over 578,000 Haitians, making it increasingly difficult for the government and aid organizations to meet basic needs. Despite the urgent call for international help, the response has been slow, with only 400 Kenyan police officers deployed as part of the mission. Meanwhile, countries have delayed their promised financial contributions, personnel, and resources, leaving the mission under-resourced and unable to fully address the crisis.
The United States, along with Canada, has been the largest contributor to the mission, but U.S. officials, including Brian Nichols, the Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, are calling for more nations to step up their support. Nichols emphasized that a stronger international effort is needed to ensure the success of the security mission and to provide the Haitian people with the stability they desperately need. Washington is exploring several long-term options for the mission, including the possibility of establishing a formal UN peacekeeping operation to ensure sustained funding and staffing.
In addition to addressing the security crisis, Blinken’s visit will focus on Haiti’s urgent political needs. Haiti has not held an election since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, and the country has since lacked a functioning government, exacerbating the chaos. The transitional council, with whom Blinken will meet, has been tasked with steering the country toward elections, but progress has been slow. The U.S. hopes to accelerate this process, encouraging Haitian leaders to prioritize democratic governance and ensure that elections take place as soon as possible. Nichols described this moment as critical, highlighting the need for Haiti to see both security improvements and political advancements.
Following his visit to Haiti, Blinken will travel to the Dominican Republic, where he will meet with President Luis Abinader. The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, and the two countries have a complex relationship, particularly regarding issues of security, migration, and economic cooperation. Blinken’s discussions with Abinader will focus on strengthening regional cooperation to address the challenges posed by the Haitian crisis, including migration flows, cross-border security, and economic stability. The U.S. and the Dominican Republic are expected to discuss ways to bolster economic ties and advance democratic values in the region, with a specific emphasis on promoting peace and stability in Haiti.
Blinken’s visit comes at a critical time for Haiti, where the combination of political instability, economic collapse, and rampant violence has created one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the Western Hemisphere. The international community, led by the United States, faces the challenge of providing both immediate relief and long-term solutions to help rebuild Haiti’s fractured institutions and restore hope to its people. Blinken’s engagement with Haitian and Dominican leaders is seen as a significant step in that direction, to secure a more stable future for the country and its citizens.
