Trudeau tells Haitian prime minister solution to violence must come from within Haiti

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that a solution to the chaos in Haiti must come from within that embattled country.

"Within Haiti, there is no solution to this situation from outside," Trudeau said as he spoke with Haitian Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry in New York at the UN where he also announced an additional CAN$80 million ($59.3 million) to help beef up security for the Haitian police who are overwhelmed by warring factions.

"We have a role to play from outside ... but we need to see more dialogue, more consensus-building within Haiti and around the Haitian people," he said.

Trudeau also announced sanctions against three members of Haiti’s business community, bringing total sanctions levied on individuals to 29, CTV News reported.

Gangs have plagued the beleaguered country since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. They have caused chaos, terrorizing the population while the country is fighting a cholera outbreak.

Haiti’s government and UN officials pleaded for an international force to help restore order, and in particular, the US sought out Canada to lead the contingent.

But Canada, already stretched thin by sending military personnel to Ukraine and NATO, declined. Trudeau has maintained his stance and repeated Thursday that any solution to Haiti’s troubles must come from within Haiti.​​​​​​​

Kenya announced Thursday it has established diplomatic relations with Haiti.

President William Ruto said Kenya is willing to lead an international force into Haiti, according to the government’s website.