Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would send Royal Canadian Navy vessels out of Haiti to conduct surveillance and gather intelligence on the activities of criminal gangs that are destabilizing the country.
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The Prime Minister made the announcement after a “very productive” private meeting with his Haitian counterpart Ariel Henry as part of the CARICOM Summit on the State of the Caribbean, held in Nassau, Bahamas on Thursday.
“We know that criminal elements are becoming more sophisticated and that increased support is needed to stop the illicit trafficking of drugs, arms and human beings,” said the Prime Minister.
The situation therefore justifies maintaining a “maritime presence” off the coast of Haiti to prevent chaos spreading to the region.
As such, Canada will allocate US$1.8 million to border and maritime security to fight drug trafficking and crime more broadly.
In addition to the military ships, other armored vehicles sent by Canada are expected to arrive on Haitian soil in the coming days.
“There is a very urgent need to boost the capacity of the Haitian National Police to defeat the gangs. To learn the lessons of the past, we strive to strengthen Haitian institutions in partnership with Haitians and in support of the goals they have defined and are led by Haitians themselves,” said Mr. Trudeau.
The prime minister also announced the addition of two members of Haitian elite to his list of sanctioned individuals, which now totals 17, and encouraged states present at the conference to do the same.
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