US announces new $160 million aid package for Haiti

New York.- The United States has announced a new aid package of $160 million for Haiti to support development, economy, health, and security efforts. This announcement was made by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a ministerial meeting on Haiti held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The aid is part of ongoing efforts to stabilize the country, which has been heavily affected by gang violence. The new package brings total US aid to Haiti to $1,300 million since 2021, according to a statement from the State Department.

The United States also imposed sanctions on two individuals linked to gang activity: former member of parliament Prophane Victor, accused of supporting and arming gangs, and Luckson Elan, leader of the Gran Grif gang, for serious human rights abuses. The sanctions aim to target those undermining Haiti’s security and to support the newly deployed international police mission.

The ministerial meeting included representatives from Haiti’s interim government, international partners such as Canada, France, and Kenya, as well as members of the Caribbean Community (Caricom). Discussions focused on the ongoing crisis and the deployment of the international police contingent, which was established to restore stability in the country.