Karibikkatastrophe: Vermeidung des Haiti-Fallouts

[Joseph Ledford ](https://www.hoover.org/profiles/joseph-ledford)argues that the governance situation in Haiti is fast deteriorating into a humanitarian catastrophe, creating a high likelihood of a failed state emerging on America’s doorstep if additional security measures are not taken. Ledford reports on how the takeover of much of the country by violent criminal gangs has resulted in mass refugee exodus, with many displaced Haitians seeking to come to the United States. In Ledford’s view, an America-first foreign policy cannot tolerate the continuation of this situation, which has the potential to destabilize the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean states — which would in turn compound the humanitarian and refugee crisis. If the United States wants to work to improve the situation in Haiti for America’s own benefit, Ledford maintains, „The United States cannot rent a foreign police force to rescue countries in its own hemisphere. Rather, Trump and Rubio must seek a “collective solution” whereby a coordinated coalition of Western Hemisphere forces, spearheaded by the United States, degrade and destroy the gangs and return security and stability to Haiti.“

The alternative, in Ledford’s analysis: „America leads from behind, an approach former president Joe Biden took toward Haiti. Trump could focus his administration’s attention on pressing problems elsewhere and rely on the Kenyan-led initiative to solve the crisis. This may be the path of least political resistance, but continuing Biden’s policy invites a risk far greater than the reward.“

As Ledford concludes, „Events have a peculiar way of overtaking new administrations and thwarting the best of presidential ambitions. Trump must respond decisively before events in Haiti have their say.“