A former special envoy to Haiti, Daniel Foote, has criticized what he sees as former President Joe Biden’s absentee approach to decision-making for the current issues facing the Caribbean nation. Foote resigned in protest over the administration’s support for unpopular and unelected leaders in Haiti, claiming that the U.S. has historically failed to represent the Haitian people through its chosen governments. He specifically criticized the backing of then-unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry for his loyalty despite questions about how Henry rose to power.
Foote has been involved with Haiti since the 2010 earthquake and believes the country has now descended into near-total collapse. Gang violence in Haiti has reached record levels, with over 1 million people displaced and 85% of the capital under gang control. Foote stated that there has been no effective government in Haiti since 2012, leading to the country being labeled as a failed state. He claimed that the Biden administration’s support for Henry was driven by loyalty rather than a genuine concern for the well-being of the Haitian people.
Despite his concerns, Foote admitted that he never met Biden while serving as envoy and claimed that Biden was at a point where he did not want to see many people. Instead, other officials such as Victoria Nuland and U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Michele Sison were responsible for devising the plan to support Henry. Nuland rejected Foote’s accusations, stating that decisions were made through intense coordination involving multiple levels of internal debate.
The Biden administration committed around $600 million to fund an international security force known as the multinational security support mission (MSS) in Haiti. However, Foote criticized the MSS strategy as a waste of taxpayer money, stating that they do not have the security backbone to combat the gangs effectively. He recommended that the U.S. send special forces personnel to train an elite anti-gang unit in Haiti and reestablish a signals intelligence program to monitor gang communication.
Jack Brewer, a former NFL player and founder of a foundation active in Haiti since the 2010 earthquakes, echoed Foote’s concerns about the dire situation in Haiti. He described horrific violence, including people being burned alive, police officers facing brutal deaths, and personal connections to multiple murders. Brewer emphasized that real change in Haiti can only come from within, urging a cultural shift away from corruption and towards law and order. He emphasized the need to address the moral fabric of the nation to effect lasting change.
Overall, the situation in Haiti has reached a critical point, with widespread gang violence, political instability, and a lack of effective governance contributing to the country’s collapse. The Biden administration’s approach to supporting Haitian leaders has been criticized for prioritizing loyalty over the well-being of the Haitian people. As the crisis in Haiti continues to deepen, calls for meaningful intervention and a shift in cultural norms within the country are growing louder.
