Caricom struggles for consensus as President Ali addresses complex situation

Santo Domingo.- The current President of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali, declared on Thursday that the regional organization has not achieved any consensus between opposing parties in Haiti, despite multiple meetings convened for this purpose.

In a video broadcast by Caricom, President Ali acknowledged the complexity of the situation in Haiti, exacerbated by the absence of key functioning institutions such as the Presidency and Parliament, along with ongoing violence and a lack of humanitarian aid.

Highlighting the urgent need for consensus among Haitian parties, Ali emphasized that the solution must be led by Haiti itself. While reports circulated about a possible meeting between Haiti’s Prime Minister Henry and Caricom members in Jamaica, Ali did not explicitly refer to these unconfirmed reports. Instead, he underscored the necessity for a political solution and emphasized that Haiti requires support not only from Caricom but also from the international community. Ali committed to providing updates on the mediation efforts.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller echoed the call for concessions from Haitian parties, including the Prime Minister, emphasizing the need for a political resolution and the importance of Haiti’s key actors reaching consensus. He clarified that this did not imply a demand for Henry’s resignation, and highlighted ongoing collaborative efforts between the US, Caricom, and Haiti’s leaders to restore democratic order through free and fair elections.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Henry is in Puerto Rico, where federal agencies like the FBI are ensuring his security and accommodation. Puerto Rico’s Secretary of State, Omar Marrero, stated that Henry intends to return to Haiti, but the timing remains uncertain due to the prevailing violence.

In the midst of the crisis, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced the temporary suspension of its mobile clinics in several locations in Haiti, citing a substantial increase in the number of injuries due to ongoing chaos and violence. The organization is concerned about difficulties in accessing medical supplies and fears running out of essential medicines and equipment.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urged the international community to act swiftly to prevent Haiti from descending further into chaos. Additionally, the US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, urged the Haitian Prime Minister to urgently facilitate a political process leading to a presidential transition in the country, emphasizing the need for swift action. The whereabouts of Prime Minister Henry and his next steps remain unknown.