Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Wednesday his strategy to protect Florida from potential illegal immigrants coming from Haiti. To ensure the safety and security of the state, he plans to deploy more than 250 soldiers and other assets.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has taken action in response to the surge in gang violence and widespread turmoil that has shaken the Caribbean island. The political vacuum that the nation finds itself in has resulted in a state of near civil war, according to experts.
In a statement, the governor emphasized that the State of Florida has been allocating substantial resources to combat the influx of illegal vessels from countries like Haiti for a considerable period of time.
Florida has taken significant steps to bolster the under-resourced interdiction efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard. The state is determined to prevent illegal aliens from entering its borders. As a result, Florida has emerged as a leader in supporting the Coast Guard’s mission.
To bolster Florida’s defense, Governor DeSantis has not only deployed soldiers but also dispatched a fleet of more than a dozen sea and aircraft to protect the state’s southern coast.
According to the governor’s office, the deployment of soldiers includes 23 officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 30 additional officers from the Florida Highway Patrol, 39 officers from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and 48 National Guardsmen.
Governor DeSantis has announced that he will be dispatching up to 133 soldiers from the Florida State Guard to the Keys.
On Tuesday, Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry made the decision to step down from his position. He stated that his resignation would occur following the convening of a traditional presidential council. This choice was influenced by the mounting international pressure that he faced.
Haiti finds itself in the midst of a crisis, partially due to the challenge of finding a suitable successor to President Jovenel Moïse, who was tragically assassinated in 2021.
The country has been deeply divided over the question of who should succeed him, and this political turmoil has been simmering for quite some time.
Haitians have been facing not only an increase in gang violence but also a scarcity of essential resources, including food. In light of this ongoing turmoil, Henry’s decision to step down was a direct response to the unrest prevailing in the nation.
In 2021, there was a surge of Haitian migrants at the US-Mexico border. DeSantis is also determined to prevent a similar situation from occurring near Florida.
According to the United Nations, it is estimated that gangs have control over 80% of Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince.
Haiti, a country situated over 700 miles away from Florida’s coast, holds a significant connection to the state. It is estimated that more than 276,000 Floridians were born in Haiti. This demonstrates the close ties and influence that Haiti has had on the local population in Florida.
Florida has experienced an influx of migrants from neighboring countries like Cuba in the past. In January 2023, approximately 500 migrants from Cuba arrived at the islands in the Florida Keys.
The Biden administration has been closely monitoring the unfolding crisis in Haiti. To ensure the safety of the US embassy in Haiti, a Marine anti-terrorist unit was dispatched, as confirmed by US Southern Command on Wednesday.
The United States will allocate $300 million to enhance security in Haiti.
“Secretary of State Blinken expressed his confidence that the extensive efforts undertaken thus far will pave the way for the successful continuation of our mission. He firmly believes that these efforts will not only restore security but also enable the country to regain control from the clutches of criminal gangs.”
