December 23, 2024
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Haiti on Thursday, September 5, 2024, for a strategic visit focused on the country’s political transition and efforts to restore security. This visit is part of a broader trip that will also take him to the Dominican Republic on September 5 and 6, 2024. In Haiti, Blinken held his first meeting at the residence of the U.S. ambassador in Boudon, where he met with several important political figures, including Edgard Leblanc Fils, Coordinator of the Presidential Transition Council (CPT), Prime Minister Garry Conille, Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy, and the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Nesmy Manigat.
During this meeting, discussions centered on the next steps in the democratic transition process in Haiti. Blinken reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting the Haitian people, particularly through humanitarian aid and stabilization efforts led by Haitians themselves. The Secretary of State also emphasized the importance of promoting respect for human rights in the context of stabilization efforts and security actions.
Continuing his mission, Blinken plans to meet with other key security actors in Haiti, including Godfrey Otunge, commander of the Multinational Security Support Mission, and Rameau Normil, interim Director-General of the Haitian National Police (PNH). These talks will focus on the strategy for restoring security in the country, a crucial element for the success of the ongoing political transition.
This visit comes at a pivotal moment for Haiti, as the transition is marked by corruption accusations against certain members of the CPT, complicating coordination between the Presidential Council and the government. Observers believe that Blinken’s visit could bring clarity and strengthen international support for the transition.
Meanwhile, negotiations are ongoing within Haiti’s political class, particularly with a delegation from the December 21 political movement, which is discussing the potential replacement of Louis Gérald Gilles, a controversial representative, within the framework of the transition. These talks also involve the EDE and Pitit Desalin parties and aim to ease internal tensions to ensure a smoother process.
After his visit to Haiti, Antony Blinken will travel to the Dominican Republic to meet with President Luis Abinader. During this meeting, Blinken and Abinader will strengthen the historic partnership between their two countries by addressing issues related to security, human rights, inclusive economic growth, and climate resilience. They will also discuss regional initiatives, such as the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis (PACC 2030) and the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).