A former U.S. special envoy to Haiti is criticizing the Biden administration’s approach to the country, claiming a lack of presidential involvement is to blame for the current crisis.
Daniel Foote, who resigned in 2021, cited the administration’s support for what he considered unpopular and unelected leaders as the reason for his departure.
Foote asserted that the U.S. has consistently backed leaders who don’t represent the Haitian people, pointing to the support for then-unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry, allegedly chosen for his loyalty despite questions surrounding his rise to power.
Having worked in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake, Foote now believes the country is on the brink of collapse.
He stated the situation is drastically worse now, with a broken social contract and a lack of effective government since 2012, labeling Haiti a “failed state.”
Reports indicate widespread gang violence has displaced over a million Haitians, almost 10% of the population, with gangs controlling 85% of Port-au-Prince.
Foote claimed he never met Biden during his tenure as envoy, suggesting Biden’s condition had deteriorated to the point where he was shielded from many people. He alleged that Victoria Nuland and Ambassador Michele Sison were the architects of the plan to support Henry.
Foote recalled a controversial remark allegedly made by Biden in 1994 when he was a senator: “If Haiti just quietly sunk into the Caribbean, or rose up 300 feet, it wouldn’t matter a whole lot in terms of our interests.”
Foote stated the remark illustrates Biden’s attitude toward Haiti.
Neither Biden’s spokesperson nor Sison have responded to requests for comment.
Nuland refuted Foote’s accusations, calling them “completely false” and directed inquiries to Brian Nichols, former Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.
Nichols stated that there was significant coordination and that policy decisions were debated extensively at multiple levels. He noted he took the job a week before Foote resigned and was not involved in previous decisions.
Foote contrasted the current situation with the past, saying Americans used to be welcomed in Haiti and he felt safe walking around. He says that is no longer the case.
Foote said Haitians are now looking to China and Russia for help, feeling abandoned by the U.S.
The Biden administration has pledged $600 million to fund a multinational security support mission (MSS) with personnel from various countries. However, Foote considers this a waste of money.
He argues the MSS lacks the strength to confront the gangs, stating that Haiti needs more than a collection of police officers from developing nations led by a country with no prior experience leading security missions.
Nichols defended the MSS, praising their professionalism and courage.
Foote suggests Trump should send 60 U.S. special forces to train an elite anti-gang unit and reestablish a signals intelligence program. He warns of wider consequences if such action isn’t taken.
He warned that inaction would lead to chaos near U.S. shores and increased migration, as people flee the unbearable conditions in Port-au-Prince.
Jack Brewer, a former NFL player who runs a global foundation active in Haiti since the earthquake, agreed with Foote’s assessment.
Brewer described the horrific violence, including people being burned alive and police officers brutally murdered, stating one of his doctors lost multiple friends and relatives to the violence just this week.
Brewer stressed that meaningful change must come from within Haiti.
He called for a cultural shift that rejects theft and corruption, emphasizing the need to restore the nation’s moral fabric and establish law and order before external aid can be effective.
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