Canada imposes new sanctions on two ‘Haitian elites’
Canadian government accuses two Haitian nationals, including associate of ex-President Martelly, of enabling gangs.
Sanctions come days after Canada sent armoured vehicles to Haiti to help bolster the Haitian National Police in their fight against armed gangs [File: Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters]
Published On 13 Jan 202313 Jan 2023
Canada has imposed new sanctions against two “Haitian elites” accused of enabling criminal gangs, the latest measure in an international campaign to stem a surge of deadly violence in the Caribbean nation.
Canada’s foreign affairs ministry said on Friday that it was sanctioning former member of parliament Arnel Belizaire and businessman Charles Saint-Remy, an associate of former Haitian President Michel Martelly.
“Canada has reason to believe these individuals are using their status as high-profile elites in Haiti to protect and enable the illegal activities of armed criminal gangs, including through drug trafficking and other acts of corruption,” the department said in a statement.
Canada and its allies, most notably the United States, have issued a barrage of sanctions against Haitian politicians, former officials and others in recent weeks in an effort to crack down on criminal gangs and illicit activities.
Martelly, the former president, was among six Haitian officials sanctioned by Canada in November on accusations that they “participated in gross and systematic human rights violations in Haiti and engaged in acts that threaten the peace, security, and stability of Haiti”.
In recent months, Haitians have faced a surge in gang attacks and kidnappings as insecurity skyrocketed in the aftermath of the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise in the capital of Port-au-Prince.
The country also experienced petrol and electricity shortages linked to a gang blockade on a critical fuel terminal in Port-au-Prince late last year.
Meanwhile, months of political deadlock deepened this week as the last elected officials in Haiti saw their Senate terms expire. The last parliamentary elections were held in 2017, with future elections yet to be scheduled.
Haiti’s acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry in October appealed to the international community to help set up a “specialised armed force” to restore security – a call that was backed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and US President Joe Biden’s administration.
But Washington-led efforts to mount “a non-UN mission led by a partner country” to Haiti have stalled since then, as the Biden administration so far has failed to get another nation to agree to lead such a force.
Haitian civil society groups also have raised staunch opposition to the prospect of foreign intervention, saying such missions have historically brought more harm than good. Some activists have instead urged more resources be sent to the Haitian National Police.
Earlier this week, Canada announced that it had delivered armoured vehiclesalready bought by Haiti to the head of the national police force in Port-au-Prince to help in the battle against the gangs.
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA
DHS Implements New Processes for Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans and Eliminates Cap for Venezuelans
01/06/2023
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a safe and lawful way for qualifying Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans with U.S.-based supporters to travel by air to and temporarily reside in the United States. Individuals arriving under this new process may also apply for work authorization. DHS also announced elimination of the numerical cap for a similar process for Venezuelans announced earlier this year.
This process will provide a lawful and streamlined way for qualifying nationals of Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua who are outside the United States and lacking U.S. entry documents to come to the United States. Through a fully online process, individuals can be considered, on a case-by-case basis, for advance authorization to travel to the United States and seek a temporary period of parole for up to two years, provided that they:
- Have a supporter in the United States who will provide financial and other support;
- Undergo and clear robust security vetting;
- Meet other eligibility criteria; and
- Warrant a favorable exercise of discretion.
DHS will begin implementing these new processes for Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans on Jan. 6, 2023. For additional information on the process and eligibility requirements, please see the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans page.
DHS strongly encourages Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans seeking entry in the U.S. who do not have and are not eligible for a visa to instead seek entry via this process, as this will be the safest and most effective way to pursue a temporary stay in the United States. Individuals complete the process electronically and should not approach the border to access this process.
Effective immediately, U.S.-based individuals may submit Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, on behalf of named nationals of Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua to come to the United States. We are also continuing the process with respect to Venezuelans.
Access to these processes is free. Neither the U.S. supporter nor the beneficiary is required to pay the U.S. government a fee for the Form I-134A or participation in this process. Beware of any scams or potential exploitation by anyone who asks for money associated with applying to this process. Visit the Avoid Scamspage for information and resources.
12 in custody after at least 25 migrants land on Fort Lauderdale Beach
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Federal authorities took 12 people into custody after more than two dozen migrants made landfall on Fort Lauderdale Beach.
According to Fort Lauderdale Police, a group of migrants landed on the beach along the 700 block of Seabreeze Boulevard, near Harbor Drive, on Tuesday afternoon, just before 6 p.m.
Police estimate between 25 to 50 migrants made it to land.
However, U.S. Border Patrol officials said only 12 were taken into custody: nine from Haiti, two from Brazil and one from the Bahamas.
Dive teams also arrived at the scene.
Police on Wednesday continue to search for the rest of the migrants who took off running.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue treated the migrants who were detained.
Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/haiti-trudeau-rae-gangs-1.6713921Haiti: Trudeau wrestling with tough question, says Rae (CBC)CBC News, January 14, 2023
Trudeau 'wrestling' with the question of how to help Haiti, says Bob Rae
‘We are not interested in repeating the mistakes of the past,' says ambassador
By Catherine CullenAs Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince continues to be rocked by gang violence, one key adviser to the Canadian federal government says this
country doesn't favour the idea of putting boots on the ground to help address unrest."I don't want to speculate about that because I don't think that's really the step that we're taking," said Canada's Ambassador to the
United Nations Bob Rae, who last visited Haiti in December.Speaking to CBC Radio's The House, Rae said Canada is looking at how to provide assistance that will "create order" in Haiti — where, he said, the state is "holding together by a thread."Rae visited the country twice last year and is advising the Canadian government on a path forward. He said many outside Haiti don't fully
appreciate the great fear and anxiety experienced by ordinary Haitians,
who are dealing with civil disorder, widespread threats of kidnapping and sexual violence, and a food crisis."The prime minister is wrestling with a very tough question and that is, 'What is the most effective form of assistance that we can provide?'" said RaeEarlier this week, Canada airlifted a second shipment of Haitian-purchased armoured vehicles to the country to help the national
police. On Friday, Canada also announced new sanctions against two more members of the Haitian elite."We're leading the way on sanctions and frankly we'd like other governments to play a stronger role, including the United States," said
Rae, noting Canada is also providing food aid and help with public health as the country deals with a resurgence of cholera.The sensitive question of whether military involvement might be in the cards landed in the spotlight earlier this week in the lead-up to the
North American leaders summit, after comments by a senior U.S. official."Canada itself has expressed interest in taking on a leadership role" in offering some sort of multinational security support to the Haitian
National Police, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Monday.That could involve boots on the ground or other forms of support, said Sullivan. He said that U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister
Trudeau would discuss the matter, adding he didn't want to "jam anybody" by anticipating the outcome of the conversation.But no public commitment to any specific action in Haiti emerged after those private discussions on Tuesday.Trudeau did not directly answer the question about the possibility of a Canadian military presence in Haiti when asked by a reporter — though he did talk about the importance of Haitian national police being empowered
to solve the situation themselves.He added that Canada and other countries are preparing various scenarios to respond in the event the situation in Haiti gets worse.Ariel Henry, Haiti's de facto prime minister, has asked for help from a foreign military, but many citizens of Haiti see Henry's government as
illegitimate.Still, the United Nations has urged countries to consider Henry's request. It's not clear how many Haitians would reject such a military presence. Haiti's history is littered with episodes of foreign powers intervening and leaving a trail of damage.Marjorie Villefranche, director of Montreal's Maison d'Haiti, said the country has dealt with years of foreign soldiers on the ground and many Haitians do not want to see that era return."The situation could be deteriorating, but the solution is not the occupation of Haiti," she saidRae insisted that no such suggestion is under consideration.
Jean Saint-Vil of Solidarité Québec-Haiti agreed that such an armed intervention would be unwelcome."The only reason that this kind of reflex shows up is because we are dealing in a colonial paradigm where white nations, white-dominated nations, see themselves as the national policemen of the planet," he
said. "This is not acceptable in 2023.""Nobody's contemplating a huge military intervention," said Rae. "I think that idea, which may have been around in some quarters, certainly was never one that was embraced by us."The focus now is on upgrading the capacity of the Haitian security services, he said, and looking at what additional assistance Canada can provide.Rae also pointed out that there is no United Nations Security Council resolution to authorize such an intervention. Whatever is done must be based on "a stronger consensus than we're currently seeing from all of the elements in Haitian society," he added."We are not interested in repeating the mistakes of the past."