Violence in Haiti Generates Deeper Concern Around the Caribbean

Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell urged Caribbean nations to help Haiti restore normalcy, saying the political instability in the country is threatening security and stability throughout the region.

Haitians fleeing the wave of violence are arriving to the Bahamas, Jamaica and Cuba. The Dominican Republic, which shares a border with Haiti, erected fences to protect itself from a potential refugee crisis.

Mitchell told The Sunday Gleaner that the Caribbean Community, CARICOM, is sending three former prime ministers to advise Haiti on restoring peace and stability to its territory.

“When your neighbor’s house is on fire, you should watch yours,” Mitchell said, warning that the Bahamas and Jamaica will be flooded with refugees if the violence continued.

Haiti’s problems are not domestic. French colonizers are equally responsible, argued Mitchell, adding that “France and other countries” are trying to “impoverish and punish Haiti” because they dislike the idea of Haitians feeling independent.

“In my view, to address the poverty situation in Haiti, there has to be sustained investment from the international community and from the money that Haiti has had to pay to France. It should be repaid, with interest,” Mitchell said.

“There are lots of crimes people talk about, but as far as I am concerned, that’s one of the greatest crimes against humanity that has ever occurred,” he added.