ECNETNews, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Sept. 6, 2024: “Better late than never” perfectly captures the sentiment surrounding U.S. Secretary of State Blinken’s brief airport visit to Haiti yesterday.
Blinken has traveled to 87 nations since taking office in 2021, yet Haiti—a nation physically closer than most others—remains largely overlooked by the U.S. administration. His stop in Haiti marks a significant absence in diplomatic engagement with a country grappling with severe turmoil.
As Haiti descends further into chaos, the Biden administration’s lack of involvement raises serious questions about U.S. leadership in the region. With President Biden and Vice President Harris seemingly avoiding any engagement, the current situation in Haiti cannot simply be categorized as cautious diplomacy; it reflects a troubling neglect of responsibility.
Haiti is in desperate need of assistance, with gangs exerting control over nearly 80% of Port-au-Prince. Over 578,000 residents have been displaced, and more than 1 million live without electricity, amid an ineffective interim government. While financial aid has been provided, it falls woefully short of addressing the depth of the crisis. Moreover, UN-backed efforts have been hampered by underfunding and insufficient resources, leaving the conditions for the Haitian people unchanged.
Blinken’s visit seems more symbolic than substantive, indicating that Haiti remains a low priority for U.S. foreign policy. His discussions with interim leaders lack any actionable follow-up, suggesting that meaningful change is unlikely. The ongoing issues, entrenched gangs, and political instability cast a long shadow over the region’s future.
As the prospect of a Caribbean American president looms, one must question whether real progress for Haiti will materialize under this new leadership. History suggests skepticism is warranted.
