Haiti, the once-vibrant nation nestled just 700 miles from Florida, stands precariously on the edge of a precipice. Decades of U.S. intervention have failed to establish lasting stability, leaving the country in the iron grip of armed gangs. Prime Minister Ariel Henry, stranded in Puerto Rico after seeking international assistance, embodies the current state of paralysis.
The ghosts of past interventions loom large. In 1994, a U.S.-led force restored Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power, but the intervention proved to be a temporary fix. Today, Haiti grapples with the same demons - rampant gang violence, kidnappings, and a crumbling government.
Warlords now control a staggering 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The abduction of American missionaries serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive insecurity. This lawlessness has triggered a mass exodus, with over 76,000 Haitians fleeing to the U.S. border in desperation.
The situation has spiraled downwards since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Gangs have grown bolder, better armed, and more ruthless. A decade ago, a similar descent into violence led to Aristide’s exile. A subsequent UN peacekeeping mission was plagued by scandals, further tarnishing international efforts.
The U.S. faces a difficult choice. Public appetite for another large-scale intervention is nonexistent. Diplomatic solutions, including a proposed Kenyan peacekeeping force, appear stalled. Inaction, however, risks a full-blown humanitarian crisis unfolding at America's doorstep.
The international community shares the U.S.'s frustration. Attempts to nudge other nations into taking the lead have yielded limited success. Critics point to the lack of a coherent strategy from the Biden administration. "What exactly is the way out of this?" asks Ana Rosa Quintana-Lovett, a former foreign policy expert.
Many Haitians see a long history of meddling from Washington as a root cause of their woes. Monique Clesca, a member of Haiti's Montana Group advocating for new elections, blames the U.S. for "enabling and empowering" corrupt leaders.
A sustainable solution requires Haitian ownership. The international community can support homegrown efforts towards free and fair elections. Dismantling the gangs necessitates a multi-pronged approach, combining law enforcement with social programs that address poverty and inequality.
