Blinken to visit Haiti as US-backed mission to take on gangs struggles
Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel Thursday to Haiti as the U.S. backs a struggling mission to restore order to the Caribbean nation plagued by armed gangs.
Blinken will meet with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and Edgard Leblanc Fils, the presidential council coordinator for a transitional council that was set up over the spring to pave the way for new elections once the gangs are defeated.
During the visit, Blinken will discuss Haiti’s democratic transition and U.S. support to restore order and provide humanitarian support to the country, according to a State Department release.
Blinken will also meet with leaders of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which is led by Kenya. The MSS first deployed some 400 police troops to Haiti at the end of June, with an expected 2,500 to arrive eventually.
After the trip to Haiti, Blinken will visit Haiti's neighbor, the Dominican Republic, and meet with President Luis Abinader.
The trip marks Blinken's first visit to Haiti since the MSS was deployed and gangs terrorized much of the nation, plunging it into a humanitarian crisis that threatens to spiral even further out of control.
The MSS has yet to stamp out the armed gangs that have taken over most of Port-au-Prince and the surrounding area, struggling with a lack of resources and manpower to lead the Haitian National Police in a mission to restore order.
The U.S. is the main benefactor of the mission, providing some $300 million to the MSS, while American contractors built the base from which the police work.
U.S. Southern Command, the military headquarters that oversees the Latin American region, has helped deliver crucial equipment for the police forces, including a delivery of Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles last month.
Conille told The Wall Street Journal this week that he lacks manpower and resources to take on the gangs, describing the situation as "the worst I’ve seen in my entire lifetime."
"We’re doing this with absolutely nothing,” he said. "We need help."
Date: |
-
The Wall Street Journal - Business
Boeing Machinist Strike Adds Cash Crunch to New CEO's Rescue Mission
Ratings firms are warning that a prolonged work stoppage could sink the jet maker’s debt into junk status.8 hours ago -
CBS News - Top stories
Groundbreaking commercial Polaris Dawn space mission splashes down
The groundbreaking commercial space mission known as Polaris Dawn successfully splashed down early Sunday morning. The historic five-day mission, flown by tech billionaire Jared Isaacman and three ...4 hours ago -
NBC News - Top stories
Trump plans to visit Springfield, Ohio, the site of his baseless claims about Haitian immigrants
Former President Donald Trump plans to visit Springfield, Ohio, "soon," a source familiar with the planning said.10 hours ago - Donald Trump -
CBS Sports - Sports
Member of chain gang collapses on sideline, receives CPR on field during Raiders-Ravens game
A scary moment took place during Sunday's early games10 hours ago -
Yahoo Sports - Sports
NFL Week 2 winners, losers: 49ers struggle without CMC
The Saints are rolling, the Jets are in the win column and the 49ers were stumped. Here are all the winners and losers from Week 2 of NFL action.2 hours ago - NFL -
Yahoo Sports - Sports
Texans' offense struggles against Bears, but defense comes through for the win
Houston's offense wasn't great against the Bears, but the defense came through.1 hour ago - NFL -
The Wall Street Journal - World
A strike by Boeing's biggest union adds to a struggling supply base, a rapid cash burn and a manufacturing-quality crisis as problems confronting new CEO Kelly Ortberg.
A strike by Boeing’s biggest union adds to a struggling supply base, a rapid cash burn and a manufacturing-quality crisis as problems confronting new CEO Kelly Ortberg.6 hours ago -
The Wall Street Journal - World
Warnings from bank executives that Americans are struggling to keep up with their bills have set off alarms on Wall Street, with shares of consumer-lending companies sliding.
Warnings from bank executives that Americans are struggling to keep up with their bills have set off alarms on Wall Street, with shares of consumer-lending companies sliding.6 hours ago -
ABC News - Sports
Jon Rahm holds on to win LIV Golf and capture the season points list for $18 million bonus
Jon Rahm earned quite the payday on Sunday6 hours ago
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Over half of Americans say Harris won debate against Trump: Poll
More than half of Americans believe Vice President Harris won last week's presidential debate against former President Trump, according to a new poll. An ABC/Ipsos poll, released Sunday, found 58 ...1 hour ago - Kamala Harris -
The Hill - Politics
John Leguizamo makes Emmys call for greater representation in Hollywood
John Leguizamo says he's a "DEI hire," as he made an appeal at the Emmy Awards for greater diversity and representation in Hollywood. "I'm John Leguizamo and I'm one of Hollywood's DEI hires," ...1 hour ago -
The Hill - Politics
FBI investigates second Trump assassination attempt: Five things to know
Former President Trump was the target of another apparent assassination attempt while golfing in Florida on Sunday, marking the second attempt on his life in as many months. The incident adds to ...2 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
DeSantis says FL will conduct its own investigation of assassination attempt
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said the state will conduct its own investigation into the apparent assassination attempt against former President Trump at his golf club Sunday in West Palm Beach. ...3 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
Trump apparent assassination suspect identified: Reports
The man accused of pointing an AK-style rifle through the fence at Trump International Golf Club, where former President Trump was playing, has been identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, multiple media ...4 hours ago - Donald Trump