U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Fils-Aimé recently to reaffirm U.S. support for stability and security in the country that is stricken by gang violence.
The Secretary welcomed progress on deployment of the U.S. and UN – backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) which sent initial contingents to Haiti this month. The multinational force arrives as armed gangs, some of them designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) continue a rampage that has included rape, kidnapping, murder and human trafficking. The violence has displaced more than 1.3 million people, delayed free and fair elections and threatened the sovereignty of the country. The GSF replaces the previously deployed Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission with a larger, more broadly-funded multinational force specifically mandated to neutralize, isolate and deter gangs.
“The GSF, with both military and police units, will grow to 5,500 personnel conducting intelligence-led operations and securing critical infrastructure,” said Ambassador Jennifer Locetta Alternative U.S. Representative for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations. “The GSF will also benefit from a UN logistics backbone through an innovative hybrid mission model. Altogether, this represents a formidable combination to accelerate baseline security and shape conditions to improve Haiti’s long-term stability.” The force will work to create space for Haitian forces to expand, professionalize and ultimately assume responsibility, said Ambassador Locetta.
Secretary Rubio commended the Prime Minister’s leadership as the security forces expand their presence and coordination and stressed the importance of these security improvements to enable the country’s path to elections.
Alongside security cooperation, Secretary Rubio also stressed the importance of economic engagement, noting that President Donald Trump’s administration has asked Congress for a multi-year extension of two trade preference programs. The Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) and Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) laws currently support the duty-free import of Haitian textiles into the United States.
“We break the cycle of violence by pairing credible offramps with real economic opportunity – so when the guns fall silent, jobs may follow,” said Ambassador Lorcetta. She called on the international community to further help by “injecting sorely needed investments through capital, infrastructure and job creation to keep impoverished next-generation leaders from returning to the deadly path of gang violence.”
“The United States stands with Haiti,” said Ambassador Locetta. “And will continue working with Haitians and international partners towards the stabilization of the country.”