Santo Domingo.- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently spoke with President Luis Abinader about the situation in Haiti, emphasizing support for human rights, particularly in relation to the deportations of Haitians.
Despite calls from the United Nations for a halt to deportations, the Dominican government has affirmed its commitment to continue deporting Haitians and will not permit the establishment of refugee camps within its borders.
During the conversation, Blinken also discussed the multinational security support force, led by Kenyan police, which aims to restore peace and end the reign of terror imposed by powerful armed gangs in Port-au-Prince and other areas.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that Blinken’s call reinforced the “lasting partnership between the United States and the Dominican Republic” and their “shared commitment” to promoting democratic governance, regional security, anti-corruption efforts, and inclusive growth and prosperity.
Blinken also took the opportunity to congratulate President Abinader on his re-election.
The call comes amidst heightened concerns over gang violence in Haiti, particularly following the deaths of two American missionaries, Natalie and Davy Lloyd, who were the daughter and son-in-law of Missouri State Representative Ben Baker.
In response to these tragic events, the U.S. has emphasized the urgent need for a security solution in Haiti. President Joe Biden has called for the rapid deployment of the multinational support mission to address the escalating violence.
“Our hearts go out to the families of those murdered. The security situation in Haiti cannot wait,” stated a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council (NSC).
The killings of the missionaries, which took place at an orphanage in Lison 49, north of Port-au-Prince, highlight the dire situation in areas controlled by gangs for months. The multinational security support mission, led by Kenya, aims to curb this violence and is expected to arrive soon.
President Biden recently met with Kenyan President William Ruto at the White House, elevating Kenya’s status to a ‘major non-NATO ally’ for its leadership in the mission to be deployed in Haiti. The NSC spokesperson emphasized that Biden reiterated Washington’s commitment to supporting the mission, which seeks to bolster the capabilities of the Haitian police, restore the rule of law, and pave the way for democratic governance.
