Embassy In Haiti Reinforced By Canada To Promote Political Consensus

While continuing to put pressure on Haiti's political leaders to come to an agreement to help manage the ongoing crisis that is affecting the entire Caribbean nation, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is increasing the staff at the Canadian Embassy in Haiti to collaborate more closely with security officials, Diario Libre reported.

The news came after Bob Rae, Canada's ambassador to the UN, briefed bureaucrats and ministers on his recent trip to Port-au-Prince, according to The Canadian Press.

According to reports from CTV, citing The Canadian Press, political leaders and grassroots groups, whom Ottawa is pressing to find a consensus on how to help the country, were met by Rae.

Canada participated in various international interventions in Haiti between 1994 and 2004 and continues to provide substantial aid to the country. The country is observed to be leading the actions that seek to get Haiti out of its crisis.

However, Justin Trudeau noted that a possible Canadian military intervention in Haiti cannot happen unless all the nation's political parties agree. And he also indicated that a clear action plan is required before deciding on an international mission to Haiti.

The Canadian Embassy will now create a team of an unspecified number of officials "to better liaise and engage with Haitian security stakeholders" on how Canada might respond to regional demands.

Violent gangs have taken control of the nation's capital, Port-au-Prince, and Haiti is grappling with a number of unresolvable challenges. Gangs restricting access to electricity and drinking water have aggravated a cholera outbreak.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the nation has not held elections, and Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry has requested international military involvement to combat gang violence.

Economic sanctions have also been imposed by Canada against prominent commercial and political figures in Haiti. Michel Martelly, a former president, Laurent Lamothe, Jean Henry Ceant, Gilbert Bigio, the country's only billionaire, and the oligarchs Sherif Abdallah and Reynold Deeb are among those who have been sanctioned.

They are accused by Canada of equipping and controlling gangs to further their political and commercial goals as well as of trying to make money off of the anarchy and lawlessness in Haiti.