News Americas, New York, NY, August 22, 2024: Over the past three years as U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris, a Black, Caribbean, and South Asian American, has played a crucial role in addressing key challenges in Central America and the Caribbean. Her initiatives, particularly in tackling the root causes of migration and strengthening U.S. relations with regional partners, have been significant, according to Jason Marczak, Vice President and Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center. Here’s a look at her efforts:

US Vice President, Caribbean and South Asian American Kamala Harris speaks at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, US, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Leading the Root Causes Strategy for Central American Migration:

Appointed in April 2021 to spearhead efforts addressing migration from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.

Convened a group of experts to craft strategies focused on transparency, economic development, security, and governance.

Launched a five-pillar strategy in June 2021 to work with in-country stakeholders on reducing migration drivers.

Helped secure over $5.2 billion in commitments from companies and organizations to invest in the region.

Oversaw a significant reduction in migration from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador to the U.S. border.

Strengthening U.S.-Caribbean Relations:

Became the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit The Bahamas in June 2023, co-hosting the U.S.-Caribbean Leaders Meeting.

Prioritized collaboration on climate change, food security, and security issues, including arms trafficking.

Secured a $100 million U.S. assistance package to address regional challenges, including Haiti’s humanitarian crisis.

Promoting Long-Term Economic Security in Central America and the Caribbean:

Advocated for providing local organizations with technical and financial resources to foster job creation and human capital development.

Focused on combating corruption and enhancing governance to support sustainable development.

Applying a “Listen, Act, Follow Up” Approach:

Met with regional leaders to understand their priorities before crafting strategies.

Implemented long-term solutions, adjusting tactics based on evolving conditions in the region.

Harris’ work in Central America and the Caribbean underscores her commitment to tackling complex issues that require thoughtful, adaptive solutions. As she continues to define her potential foreign policy as a presidential candidate, these experiences offer insight into how she might navigate the global stage and these regions.

News Americas, New York, NY, August 20, 2024: The United States today officially designated former Haitian President Michel “Sweet Mickey” Martelly for his involvement in the global illicit drug trade. Martelly, 63, a musician-turned-president, is accused by U.S. authorities of “abusing his influence to facilitate drug trafficking” and supporting multiple gangs based in Haiti.

LES CAYES, HAITI – AUGUST 20: Former president of Haiti Michel Joseph Martelly gestures as he arrives at Antoine Simon airport after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 20, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti. Rescue efforts continue among destroyed homes since the quake struck on August 14 and so far there are at least 2,200 dead and 12,268 wounded. The epicenter was located about 100 miles west of the capital city Port-au-Prince. Days after the quake Haitians were hit by tropical storm grace. (Photo by Richard Pierrin/Getty Images)

“Narcotics trafficking and gang-related violence have contributed to political instability and insecurity in Haiti, creating an untenable situation for the Haitian people,” stated a U.S. State Department release. “It is unacceptable for Haitian political and economic elites to plunder Haiti’s future. Today’s action underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to holding accountable those whose activities fuel gang violence and destabilize Haiti, regardless of their position.”

Martelly served as President of Haiti from May 2011 until February 2016. He stepped down on February 10, 2016, leaving the country without a president for a week. On February 17, 2016, Jocelerme Privert succeeded him as interim president. Amid allegations of electoral fraud in the 2015 elections, Privert initiated a month-long verification commission, which, after auditing approximately 13,000 ballots, concluded that the election results were tainted by dishonesty and recommended a new election.

In 2015, Pras Michel of the Fugees completed a documentary titled Sweet Micky for President, directed by Ben Patterson. The film follows Martelly’s rise and his election campaign to fight corruption in Haiti. The documentary premiered at the 2015 Slamdance Film Festival and later aired on Showtime. After his presidency, Martelly returned to his musical career, releasing a carnival méringue titled “Bal Bannann nan” (Give Her the Banana), mocking renowned Haitian journalist Liliane Pierre Paul.

On November 17, 2022, the Canadian government imposed joint sanctions on Martelly and former Haitian Prime Ministers Laurent Lamothe and Jean Henry Ceant. These sanctions were based on accusations of “gross and systematic human rights violations in Haiti,” particularly Martelly’s alleged support for violent armed gangs that terrorize the population. At the time, a press release from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office stated that Martelly was “suspected of protecting and enabling the illegal activities of armed criminal gangs.”

News Americas, New York, NY, July 23, 2024: Guyana has urgently called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza conflict and emphasized the need to prioritize the protection of civilians. Her comments come as the Gaza death toll neared 40,000, according to the Hamas Health Ministry and another 84 were killed and 329 wounded throughout the Gaza Strip today, as Israeli forces launch a new ground invasion in southern city of Khan Younis.

Relatives of Palestinians, who lost their lives following the Israeli attack on Khan Yunis, mourn as dead bodies are taken from the morgue at Nasser Hospital for burial in Khan Yunis, Gaza on July 23, 2024. (Photo by Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“Mr. President, the silence has been deafening on a possible solution to end the war in Gaza. Guyana had hoped that with the adoption of resolution 2735 five weeks ago, supporting the efforts of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, that the bombs and bullets that continue to rain down on Gaza would have been silenced,” Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett stated at the UN Security Council.

She commended the efforts of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, stressing the importance of maintaining optimism. “We remind that it is the responsibility of this Council to continue to do all in its power to bring an end to this war,” the Guyanese diplomat said, noting the worsening multilayered catastrophe in Palestine.

“The dimensions of this catastrophe stretch across every facet of Palestinian life, both in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Its principal characteristics are oppression and repression, indignity and impunity, destruction, deprivation, and death,” Rodrigues-Birkett elaborated.

She highlighted that Palestinians, despite their immense suffering, look to the United Nations for an end to their plight. “Guyana’s appeal is for a collective mustering of political will, to advance the peace process, and to give the Palestinian people real hope of a secure and stable future. This is the only prospect which can equally secure a stable future for Israel and the Middle East,” she added.

The ambassador condemned Israel’s “barbaric war” on Gaza, which she said has resulted in a severely mutilated population. She stated that the death toll is nearing 40,000, with the majority being women and children. “What really is life in the Gaza Strip? Bombs, starvation, inadequate healthcare, and essential goods and services have seen the civilian population robbed of everything necessary for their survival,” she lamented.

Rodrigues-Birkett criticized the impediments to humanitarian aid, noting that despite the Kerem Shalom/Karam Abu Salem crossing being “open,” only a trickle of aid has entered due to active combat zones. She emphasized that the ongoing bombardment and breakdown of law and order in Gaza exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.

She condemned the attacks on key civilian infrastructure, including healthcare facilities and schools, and called for an end to the violence. “What red lines are there that allow for the continuous killing of women and children, and the bombing of schools, refugee camps, and hospitals? Guyana condemns this wanton violence in the strongest terms,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.

Guyana is also demanding that UN member states uphold their duty to ensure international law obligations are met, particularly international humanitarian law. She noted the escalation of attacks against UN facilities and personnel, especially those of UNRWA, and called for their protection.

“We also call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and Palestinians detained without trial in Israeli prisons. We urge adherence to the various resolutions of this Council,” she said, stressing the need for increased humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

Rodrigues-Birkett underlined the obligation of Israel as the occupying power to ensure access to humanitarian relief and echoed the demands of the International Court of Justice.

The Caribbean diplomat also called for actions to reduce tensions in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and to mitigate the violence between Palestinians and Israelis. She urged good faith efforts to reduce regional tensions. A 16-year-old girl and a 50-year-old woman are among the dead in an Israeli incursion into the Tulkarem refugee camp, adding to the Gaza death toll.

News Americas, New York, NY, July 23, 2024: The United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, announced on Monday a US$60 million humanitarian aid package to support the Haitian people and alleviate the suffering caused by gang war in Haiti.

Thomas-Greenfield, during her one-day visit to the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country, stated that the aid would be channeled through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

US Ambassador to the United Nation Linda Thomas-Greenfield (C) greets Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille as they gather for a group photo with the Transitional Presidential Council after a meeting at the Villa d’Accueil in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on July 22, 2024. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

This funding will enable USAID partners to address critical gaps in nutrition, food security, and shelter; improve water and sanitation services; provide market-based cash assistance to help affected communities purchase essential commodities; and support crucial protection services for Haiti’s most vulnerable populations, including survivors of gender-based violence.

Currently, an estimated 5.5 million people in Haiti require immediate humanitarian assistance amid a complex crisis fueled by civil unrest, disease, economic instability, and organized criminal groups. These factors, combined with recurring natural disasters like droughts, earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes, have led to shortages of basic supplies and increased food insecurity across the nation.

Ongoing violence has further restricted access to essential healthcare, causing several hospitals and clinics to close, disrupting supply chains, elevating prices for staple foods, and reducing agricultural production.

Washington noted that this new funding builds on previous commitments of more than US$105 million earlier this year, bringing the total USAID humanitarian support for Haiti this fiscal year to over US$165 million.

Last week, UN Women, the agency dedicated to gender equality, highlighted the unprecedented levels of insecurity and sexual violence faced by displaced women in Haiti. The instability in the country has led to a surge in sexual violence against women and girls as armed gangs continue their assaults on the population.

A new report by UN Women reveals the dire living conditions and lack of security faced by approximately 300,000 displaced women and girls amid ongoing political instability, escalating gang violence, and the threat of the current hurricane season.

Women and girls constitute more than half of the 580,000 displaced individuals in Haiti, and the UN Women Rapid Gender Assessment underscores how makeshift camps, which lack basic necessities, are putting them at particular risk of sexual and gender-based violence.

The survey was conducted in April in the six most populated and diverse displacement sites in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.

In addition, Thomas-Greenfield announced that the US Department of Defense would provide a “substantial increase” in the number of armored vehicles to the Kenyan-led, UN-backed multinational mission assisting the Haitian National Police (PNH) in combating widespread gang war in Haiti.