LatinNews Daily - 11 November 2021 |
HAITI: Stark warnings over impact of insecurity and fuel shortages |
On 10 November the US embassy in Haiti’s Port-au-Prince posted an alert urging US citizens to “make plans to depart Haiti now via commercial means”. Analysis: The alert cites “the current security situation and infrastructure challenges” – a reference to the security crisis, which has intensified since the July assassination of President Jovenel Moïse (2017-2021) and recently made headlines following the mass kidnapping of 17 North American missionaries (who have yet to be released) as well as gangs’ blockading of fuel supplies which began last month over demands for Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign, causing massive shortages.
Looking Ahead: Despite appeals from the likes of Dominican President Luis Abinader for the international community to intervene, the US continues to rule this out. During a two-day visit to Haiti this week, Todd Robinson, US assistant secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, was cited by the media as acknowledging the gravity of the threat posed by gangs but said that “at the end of the day, it’s not going to be the international community that comes to Haiti’s rescue. It’s going to be Haitians.” |