During the first day of his two-day visit to Haiti, Todd Nichols, Assistant Secretary of State of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), told his hosts during a press conference yesterday that INL is committed to helping the Haitian National Police (PNH) fight rampant gang activity and insecurity that has terrorized the country and shut down virtually all economic activity by blocking fuel distribution to hospitals, schools, factories, gas stations, etc. for almost three weeks. But, Nichols admonished, Haitians must understand that “it’s not the international community who must take the lead in ensuring Haiti’s security,” but the Haitians themselves. He announced several steps INL is taking to assist PNH with vehicles, protective equipment and training a special PNH anti-gang unit. Combatting violence and gang activity is INL’s “top priority” Nichols said, but he again insisted that the PNH—outgunned and outmanned by the gangs—will have the major responsibility for dealing with the issue.
While Nichols announced this “we’ll help you a little bit” message, the State Department and the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince issued an alarming advisory urging U.S. citizens to “strongly consider returning to the United States,” due to gang-related fuel shortages and the deteriorating security. Americans were advised to avoid all non-essential travel to or within Haiti, and, according to today’s Miami Herald, were also encouraged to leave while commercial flights are still available. At the same time, the Herald wrote, the United Nations has advised all its staff in the country to stock at least 14 days of emergency supplies of water, food and other necessities, given the existing crisis, fuel shortages, etc. (emphasis added).
