The last thing Haiti needs is another military intervention
On 15 October the US submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for the ‘immediate deployment of a multinational rapid action force’ to Haiti.
Haiti
Some observations on the current situation in Haiti
The assassination of President Jovenel Moise has brought the attention of the world to the situation of crisis which has existed in the Caribbean republic since the end of January. This crisis in Haiti results from decades of a neo-colonial relationship with US imperialism, the narrow electoral supports of the ruling oligarchy which have all but disappeared, and the revolt of the people.
Haiti needs aid not an occupation
By Frances Davis
As the extent of the immense devastation and human catastrophe in Haiti continues to unfold, what is clear is that the correct response must be one which both, firstly, deals with the immediate crisis, i.e. to ensure medical assistance, food, shelter and other basic human necessities; and that, secondly, this happens in the context of Haitian self-determination.
What is becoming increasingly alarming in the current situation is that the US response appears to be primarily geared at securing the state, rather than delivering aid. As one aid worker stated among a myriad of news reports depicting this same picture: ‘there are 200 flights going in and out everyday. But most of those are for the US military. The priorities are to secure the country. Ours are to feed.’
The governments of Nicaragua, Venezuela and Bolivia have all expressed concern over a US military take-over.
Fidel Castro reflects on Haiti
Reproduced below is Fidel Castro’s ‘reflections’ piece, which can also be found here
The Lessons of Haiti
By Fidel Castro Ruz
January 15, 2010 – Two days ago, at almost six o’clock in the evening Cuban time and when, given its geographical location, night had already fallen in Haiti, television stations began to broadcast the news that a violent earthquake – measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale – had severely struck Port-au-Prince. The seismic phenomenon originated from a tectonic fault located in the sea just 15 kilometres from the Haitian capital, a city where 80% of the population inhabit fragile homes built of adobe and mud.
The news continued almost without interruption for hours. There was no footage, but it was confirmed that many public buildings, hospitals, schools and more solidly constructed facilities were reported collapsed. I have read that an earthquake of the magnitude of 7.3 is equivalent to the energy released by an explosion of 400,000 tons of TNT.