ECNETNews Report
NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Feb. 10, 2025: New U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s inaugural trip to the Americas highlighted a significant oversight: the omission of Haiti from his itinerary. His final destination, the Dominican Republic, sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, underscores this glaring neglect.
Rubio’s trip aimed to bolster relationships with vital partners in Latin America, including Panama, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, each grappling with pressing regional concerns. The inclusion of the Dominican Republic in his schedule remains unclear, especially in light of a devastating humanitarian crisis occurring just across the border in Haiti.
As violence escalates in Haiti, with the capital Port-au-Prince largely under the control of armed gangs, Rubio’s failure to visit stands out as an alarming disregard for the situation. Reports indicate that over 5,000 lives were lost to violence last year, with vast areas becoming no-go zones for residents. This crisis was seemingly ignored during Rubio’s trip, reflecting a troubling trend of neglect from U.S. leadership.
Unlike his meetings in Panama, Costa Rica, and Guatemala that focused on security and economic cooperation, the stop in the Dominican Republic appeared to serve little purpose. Many see it as merely a PR opportunity, particularly in light of the harrowing conditions faced by Haitians just a short distance away.
This pattern of neglect toward Haiti is not a new phenomenon. Previous administrations have shown a lack of effective engagement with the island nation. Rubio’s silence on this critical issue during his trip signals a continuation of a broader indifference to Haiti’s plight, raising concerns about U.S. foreign policy priorities in the region.
With China’s increasing influence in Latin America and the Caribbean, the U.S. is at risk of further alienating nations facing challenges that cry out for assistance. The absence of a commitment to addressing Haiti’s humanitarian nightmare during Rubio’s tenure is a critical reminder of the need for a more responsible and proactive approach to international relations.
