Haiti doesn’t need ‘outside intervention,’ Trudeau suggests ahead of Biden visit

Canada has faced pressure in recent months to lead a military mission in the Caribbean nation, which has been plagued by gang violence.

“Outside intervention” won’t lead to long-term stability in Haiti, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is suggesting ahead of a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden next week.

Canada has faced pressure in recent months to lead a military mission in the Caribbean nation, which has been plagued by gang violence. The idea is divisive among Haitians, but the country’s unelected president, Ariel Henry, has requested it, and the United Nations has called for the creation of a “rapid action force” to intervene.

Biden’s administration has appeared skeptical of sending troops to Haiti, which has a long history of U.S. military intervention, and has suggested Canada ought to lead it.

After months of questioning, Trudeau on Wednesday appeared to pour cold water on the idea of “outside intervention” in Haiti.

“Outside intervention, as we’ve done in the past, hasn’t worked to create long-term stability for Haiti, so we are now working closely with partners on the ground to enable the Haitian National Police and other institutions to stabilize the country in this very difficult time,” he told reporters in Newfoundland.

“We will continue to stay focused on working hand in hand with Haitians to get their country back on track.”

Biden will be in Ottawa on March 23 and 24 for his first official visit as president, and the two leaders are expected to discuss the instability in Haiti.

Gang activity has ground Haiti’s economy to a halt and hastened a resurgence of cholera. A United Nations report last month detailed “indiscriminate shootings, executions and rapes.” Police have failed to contain the widespread violence.