The offer came after the Haitian government sought international help to help combat gang violence in the country.
Jamaican prime minister said his government was ready to send soldiers and police to Haiti as part of a proposed multinational security assistance deployment.
The announcement comes after the UN Special Envoy for Haiti, Helen La Rime, said she hoped the UN Security Council would “proactively” address pending requests for international forces from the Haitian government. It took place a week later. interest.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in the island’s House of Commons on Tuesday that he supported Haiti, saying, “We want to help restore the reasonable level of stability and peace needed for an inclusive and democratic process to take hold. ” he said.
The announcement appears to be the first time a western hemisphere country has publicly offered boots on the ground after Haiti’s prime minister and other senior officials called for the immediate deployment of foreign troops in early October. .
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and La Lime backed Haiti’s plea to no avail.
The UN Security Council considered the request but took no action, instead Jimmy, the leader of the ruling gang and former police officer accused of masterminding multiple brutal attacks and killings. -Choose to sanction some of the people involved in the turmoil, including Sherizier.
“It is our impression that the international community has not yet grasped the urgency of the situation facing the Haitian people,” said Leon Charles, the former head of the Haitian National Police, on Wednesday. said at the Organization (OAS). meeting.
“Our country is going through one of the most difficult times in its history,” said Charles, OAS Permanent Representative for Haiti.
He likened the international aid Haiti has received so far to a bucket of water to put out a raging fire. What Haiti needs is a fire engine with sturdy hoses.
Holness, meanwhile, said Jamaica was ready to provide bilateral assistance if needed.
“It is our hope that, with the full support of the international community, Haiti will soon overcome its challenges and set out on a path towards restoration of stability, lasting peace and sustainable development of its land and people. A true hope.”
A spokesperson for the United Nations said the organization has not seen a formal offer, but that countries can make offers directly to those leading the effort to build their armed forces.
Jamaica, a member of the regional trade bloc known as Caricom, last week urged “all stakeholders to come together for unity” to resolve what it called a lingering political stalemate in Haiti. released a statement encouraging Caricom added that it was ready to hold a meeting in the Caribbean to discuss the issue.
When the ten remaining senators’ terms expired in early January, Haiti was stripped of all democratically elected institutions. Prime Minister Ariel Henry has promised to hold general elections for more than a year, but no interim electoral commission has yet been elected, which some critics say has led to a de facto dictatorship.
Haiti is also suffering a level of violence not seen in decades since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in his home in July 2021. The gang is now believed to control 60% of his capital, Port-au-Prince.
The number of reported kidnappings in Haiti soared to 1,359 last year, double the number from the previous year, and reported killings jumped by a third to 2,183, according to the United Nations.
“These are really chilling numbers,” said Charles. “The situation in Haiti is extremely urgent.”
With a population of more than 11 million, Haiti’s National Police are facing not only a surge in violence, but also deepening poverty, widespread hunger and a deadly cholera outbreak.
