Haiti will be the focus of discussions next week between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and members of the US Congress.
During the meeting, Mr Blinken and the US congressmen will discuss the political and humanitarian crisis in Haiti. They will also discuss immigration issues, sanctions against Haitian personalities involved in corruption, illicit trafficking and the financing of acts of violence in Haiti, among others, according to New York 9th District Representative Yvette D. Clarke, in an exclusive interview with Emmanuel Paul of CaribbeanTelevisionNetwork and ZoomHaitiNews.
“As far as the administration is concerned, we again emphasized the importance of intensifying our commitment to creating a safe space to begin rebuilding Haiti’s political infrastructure and governance structure, which hasn’t had a structure for three years now. Ultimately, we think it’s essential that the United States use its influence, perhaps not from a unilateral point of view, but from a multilateral point of view, to provide Haiti with the kind of security it needs,” said the Democratic congresswoman from New York.
During this meeting, the representatives also intend to insist on the arms traffic from the United States to Haiti, according to Yvette D. Clarke, who believes that it is fundamental that the American government adopt measures to reduce the flow of arms to Haiti. Clarke believes this will help to restore security in the country.
The head of US diplomacy will also be asked about sanctions against Haitian personalities who have squandered state funds, financed criminal activities in Haiti and are involved in illegal drug trafficking.
Last week, the US State Department decided to sanction former Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Salvador Lamothe for his involvement in the squandering of petrocaribe funds. Laurent Lamothe is accused of having embezzled more than $60 million earmarked for infrastructure work in Haiti.
“Today, I am announcing the designation of Laurent Salvador Lamothe, former Prime Minister of Haiti and Minister of Planning and External Cooperation, for his involvement in a major corruption case. This action renders Lamothe generally ineligible to enter the U.S.,” said Antony Blinken.
“Lamothe embezzled at least $60 million from the Haitian government’s PetroCaribe infrastructure investment and social protection fund for private gain. Through this corrupt act and his direct involvement in the management of the fund, he exploited his role as a public official and contributed to the current instability in Haiti,” the statement continued.
Alongside sanctions, Joe Biden’s administration should also exert pressure on the Haitian government. “We know that much of what is happening in Haiti could not be taking place if it were not for the support of bad actors on the ground, individuals who are funding some of the operations that are taking place,” Yvette Clarke reported, adding that, “So we need to make sure that Secretary Blinken uses all the tools at his disposal, sanctions being one of those tools, to help eradicate the ongoing threat to the lives of the Haitian people.”
The Biden program, a godsend for Haitians
The meeting will also be an opportunity for members of the Haitian caucus to inquire about the humanitarian parole program.
Ms. Clarke intends to insist that the administration review the number of people admitted per month under this program. When the program was designed, there was a “gross underestimation” of the number of people who should be selected each month. “I knew that once the Haitian people had access to this lifeline, we would see over 30,000 people a month applying and so I think it’s important that they adjust that number to something more manageable that will create an efficient pipeline to the U.S.,” wishes the congresswoman who has represented the second largest Haitian community in the U.S..
Mass deportation to Haiti, the difficulties encountered by users of the CBPOne application and the treatment of immigrants at the US-Mexico border will also be at the center of discussions with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.