CARICOM Chair and Jamaican Prime Minister, Dr. Andrew Holness, has called on regional leaders to redouble efforts in the international arena to restore peace and security in Haiti, warning that momentum for action is slowing and the country remains at the mercy of violent gangs.
“We cannot be true to our CARICOM principles if we do not redouble our efforts in the international community to garner support for the mission in Haiti. We cannot leave our brothers and sisters in Haiti at the mercy of gangs,” Dr. Holness stated during the opening ceremony of the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, held on July 6 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James.
Dr. Holness emphasized that the deployment of a multinational force, coupled with long-term development initiatives, is critical to stabilizing the French-speaking nation. He pledged to prioritize regional security and the welfare of the Haitian people throughout his term as CARICOM Chair.
Echoing those concerns, Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon. Mia Mottley, criticized the international community’s sluggish response to what she described as one of the world’s most urgent humanitarian crises.
“More people were killed last year in Haiti than in any other country on Earth, including war zones. Despite promises, the international support remains insufficient, and the suffering continues – displacement, food insecurity, and loss of life,” Mottley said.
While acknowledging the recent deployment of Kenyan troops to support Haiti’s national police, Mottley stressed that the mission requires more than just personnel. “Without adequate equipment, resources, and sustained international commitment, such efforts will fall short,” she warned. She urged realistic, honest conversations about what is achievable, and for accelerated action to prevent further suffering.
CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett, reminded delegates that the regional movement is anchored in unity and shared responsibility. “We stand resolutely together, supporting the hopes and aspirations of all our citizens,” she said, underlining that Haiti’s crisis demands collective Caribbean resolve.
Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, added that CARICOM’s unity must not waver, declaring, “No CARICOM nation, regardless of size or economic capacity, must be left behind.”
The three-day summit, hosted in Montego Bay, continues with high-level discussions on regional security, economic integration, climate resilience, and coordinated efforts to address Haiti’s deepening crisis.
