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Florida Senator Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, spoke candidly about the dire situation in Haiti during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Rubio described the Caribbean nation’s challenges as both “globally complex” and “regionally destabilizing,” underscoring the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to restore stability.
“Haiti’s crisis is not only about internal governance failures but also about the ripple effects it has on its neighbors and the wider region,” Rubio said. He noted that the situation threatens to destabilize the Dominican Republic and contributes to migration pressures across the Caribbean and into the United States.
Rubio dismissed the possibility of U.S. military intervention as a solution for Haiti’s gang-driven security crisis. Instead, he advocated for a multinational mission, building on the existing Kenya-led security initiative in Haiti. He stressed the importance of encouraging Western Hemisphere partners to provide police and logistical support to the mission.
“It begins with stability and security,” Rubio said. “That doesn’t mean a quick fix. It requires sustained support, a legitimate transitional government, and eventually, elections that Haitians can trust.”
The Biden administration has already allocated over $600 million to support the current security mission, which has faced challenges in combating armed gangs that control large parts of Haiti. Rubio called for more sustainable funding, suggesting the mission transition into a formal U.N. peacekeeping operation. However, such a move faces opposition from China and Russia, both of whom wield veto power on the U.N. Security Council.
Rubio emphasized that Haiti’s instability directly impacts the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola. The Dominican Republic has faced increased migration pressures and security challenges stemming from the chaos in Haiti. Rubio praised the Dominican government for its resilience but warned that unchecked instability in Haiti could strain the region further.
Haiti’s last elections were held in 2016, leaving the country without elected officials and deepening its political vacuum. Rubio expressed cautious optimism for the potential of a transitional government but acknowledged that rebuilding Haiti’s institutions would take time and require broad international support.
“This is a fight for stability and dignity,” Rubio said. “It won’t be resolved overnight, but it’s critical to the future of Haiti and the region.”
