The Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Todd D. Robinson, reiterated the United States’ support for the Haitian government in the fight against insecurity.
On the 2nd day of his visit of 48-hour to Port-au-Prince, the diplomat gave some details on support of the United States to the Haitian National Police, which is struggling to restore a safe climate in the country where gangs armed never stop imposing their laws.
The American government recently delivered 19 all-terrain vehicles to the PNH out of a total of 60 promised to the Haitian authorities in order to strengthen the logistical capacities of the police institution, said Mr. Robinson, adding that a batch of 200 games of sophisticated equipment will also be handed over to the Haitian police shortly.
The Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has also indicated that there has been a misinterpretation of statements by the American authorities concerning the supposed assistance of the United States to ensure the delivery of petroleum products.
He clarified that there was never any question for the United States of wanting to substitute the Haitian Police.
With respect to the 16 American nationals and a Canadian kidnapped for almost a month by the “400 Mawozo” gang, the emissary says he has no knowledge of the existence of a possible national or international intervention to release them.
The United States will continue to work in partnership with the Haitian authorities to end the insecurity in Haiti, promised Todd Robinson.
For his part, the Chargé d’affaires of the United States in the country, Kenneth Merten, present at the press conference at the headquarters of the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince, reaffirmed the support of the Biden administration to the Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
The US government will continue to support the Prime Minister in the fight against insecurity, he said, while expressing President Biden’s concerns about the deterioration of the overall situation in Haiti.