Ottawa boosts Haiti sanctions, police funding during summit aimed at resolving crisis

By The Canadian Press on June 15, 2023.

OTTAWA – Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is announcing more support for Haiti, as neighbouring countries say they have hope the Caribbean nation can overcome a severe political and humanitarian crisis.

Canada is adding two former senators to its list of sanctioned Haitian elites whom Ottawa accuses of supporting gangs, bringing the total to 21 people.

Ottawa is also adding $40 million to its funding for law enforcement, as Canada and the U.S. focus on shoring up the work of the Haitian National Police as they try to stop gangs from committing brazen acts of violence and controlling critical infrastructure.

Joly has convened a meeting of ministers from Haiti and countries concerned about the gangs that have filled a power vacuum after the assassination of president Jovenel Moïse two years ago.

The United Nations’ representative in the country noted that recent earthquakes and floods have worsened instability, hunger and a cholera outbreak.

The Jamaican government says efforts funded by Canada and the U.S. to get Haitian leaders to carve out a political solution to the crisis have found some momentum, but it says Haiti might still need the international military intervention it requested last fall.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 15, 2023.

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