Former Haiti Envoy Critiques Biden Administration’s Flawed Policy Approach

Former Haiti Envoy Critiques Biden Administration’s Flawed Policy Approach

A former special envoy to Haiti accuses the Biden administration of contributing to the ongoing crisis in the Caribbean nation through a misguided approach to leadership and governance. Daniel Foote, who served as the envoy in 2021, has publicly expressed his disillusionment with what he perceives as the administration’s lack of effective decision-making.

Foote resigned from his position in protest against the U.S.’s support for unpopular and unelected leaders, specifically pointing to Prime Minister Ariel Henry. He criticized the Biden administration for its unwavering support of Henry, whose rise to power he believes is steeped in controversy and lacks legitimacy.

“All of the governments that the U.S. has backed or anointed or imposed in the last 110 years have not represented the Haitian people,” Foote asserted. This statement highlights a recurring theme in U.S. foreign policy towards Haiti—supporting regimes that do not reflect the will or interests of the citizenry.

Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis

Since Foote’s tenure, the situation in Haiti has deteriorated significantly. The country is grappling with record levels of gang violence, which has led to over one million people being displaced. According to a recent U.N. report, this staggering figure represents nearly ten percent of Haiti’s population. Additionally, an alarming report indicated that approximately 85 percent of Port-au-Prince is currently under the control of gangs.

Reflecting on the current state of Haiti, Foote stated, “It’s a thousand times worse now because we broke whatever weak social contract there was between the people and the government. And there has been no government since basically 2012. It’s a failed state.” His perspective raises concerns about the broader implications of U.S. intervention and its failure to foster a stable and accountable governance structure in Haiti.

Absentee Leadership in U.S. Policy Making

Foote criticized President Biden’s perceived detachment from Haiti, claiming he never met the president during his time as envoy. According to Foote, the decision-making process was largely centralized around Victoria Nuland, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, and U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Michele Sison.

He recounted Biden’s alleged comments made while he was a senator in 1994, suggesting that Haiti’s fate held little significance for American interests. This remark underscores Foote’s belief that the current administration’s approach to Haiti reflects a continuity of apathy towards the country’s plight.

Official Responses to Criticism

Both Nuland and Sison have responded to Foote’s accusations. Nuland deemed his claims as “completely false,” while referring to former Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols for further clarification. Nichols stated that policy decisions regarding Haiti involved extensive internal discussions and were not made unilaterally.

Despite the differences in perspective, Foote remains critical of the current strategy towards Haiti. He argues that the Biden administration’s commitment to funding an international security force, known as the multinational security support mission, fails to address the root causes of the escalating violence.

“They don’t have the security backbone to take on the gangs,” Foote stated, suggesting that the solution requires more than just deploying police officers from various countries. He advocates for a more targeted approach, proposing the deployment of U.S. special forces to train an elite anti-gang unit in Haiti.

Social Fabric and Internal Conflict

Foote asserts that the need for significant international assistance stems from the disillusionment of Haitians with U.S. intervention. Many now look towards alternative powers, such as China and Russia, in search of support. He noted that Haitians are exasperated, feeling as if American actions have consistently undermined their prospects for stability.

Jack Brewer, an NFL veteran and founder of a global foundation that has been active in Haiti since 2010, corroborated Foote’s observations about the dire situation unfolding beneath the surface. Brewer described horrific instances of violence, stating, “People are being burned alive, police officers are getting their heads bashed into the pavement – bloody, torturous deaths,” which emphasizes the real and urgent humanitarian crisis facing the nation.

Brewer believes that genuine change in Haiti must arise from within. He argues that a shift in cultural attitudes towards corruption and theft is critical for the country’s recovery. Until the moral fabric of the nation is restored, he suggests, external interventions will fall short of achieving meaningful progress.

Future Directions for Haiti

Continuing violence poses not only a humanitarian catastrophe for the Haitian people but also a potential crisis for neighboring countries, particularly the U.S. Foote warns that unaddressed instability in Haiti could lead to increased migration pressures as people flee the deteriorating conditions. “It’s just going to continue to create chaos right off the U.S. shores and create a massive surge in migration,” he said, urging for immediate action to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian population.

While the Biden administration attempts to respond to the situation, it faces mounting scrutiny regarding the effectiveness of its policies. The necessity for a collaborative approach that genuinely involves and supports the Haitian people remains more critical than ever. Without such an endeavor, the cycle of violence and instability is likely to endure.

Brewer’s call for a cultural shift encapsulates the broader challenge at hand. True change requires both internal and external actors to align their efforts towards building a stable, just, and prosperous Haiti.