Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has revealed plans to send extra law enforcement resources to the southern regions of the state in preparation for a potential influx of Haitian migrants. This decision comes as Haiti continues to grapple with street violence and political instability.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that an additional 200 state law enforcement officers and approximately 50 National Guard members will be dispatched to South Florida and the Keys. This will be accompanied by over a dozen aircraft and ships, ensuring increased security and support in the region.
Governor DeSantis stated that Florida has been actively allocating resources to address the issue of illegal vessels entering the state from countries like Haiti. He emphasized that Florida has been at the forefront of supplementing the under-resourced U.S. Coast Guard’s efforts to intercept and stop these illegal activities. Governor DeSantis made it clear that the state is determined to prevent the entry of illegal immigrants into Florida.
Violence continues to plague the streets of Port-au-Prince, prompting a response from the authorities. The United Nations reports that up to 80 percent of the capital is now under the control of gangs. In addition, there have been organized breakouts leading to the release of approximately 3,500 prisoners in the city.
The Biden administration has considered the idea of utilizing Guantanamo Bay as a migrant processing center for Haitians who are intercepted at sea while embarking on the perilous 700-mile voyage to Florida, as per the report by CNN on Wednesday. This approach is reminiscent of the previous use of the processing center for Haitians seeking refuge following the catastrophic earthquakes in 2010.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry made the announcement on Tuesday that he will step down, giving his support to a plan for a transitional government that has been backed by the United States. However, this plan has faced criticism from Haitian politicians.
Last week, the United States also unveiled a commitment of $300 million in funding for a multinational security force led by Kenya. This financial support is seen as a crucial step in addressing the ongoing gang violence in the region. Furthermore, the U.S. government has strongly advised all American citizens to vacate Haiti, taking precautions by evacuating the U.S. Embassy. To ensure the safety of the embassy, a contingent of Marines has been deployed for protection.
Due to Henry’s resignation and the ongoing political instability, the implementation of the security plan, which was initiated by a United Nations Security Council resolution last year, has been delayed.
