Alicia Bárcena Ibarra in High-Level Haiti Talks with CARICOM
Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, Engages in High-Level Talks on Haiti Facilitated by CARICOM
In a statement delivered at the Foreign Affairs Secretariat on March 11, 2024, Secretary Alicia Bárcena Ibarra emphasized the necessity for an enduring solution to the challenges confronting Haiti, stressing the imperative of a Haitian-led approach with inclusive participation and genuine international backing.
Secretary Bárcena Ibarra’s participation in the High-Level Meeting on Haiti, organized by Caricom, underscored Mexico’s commitment to contributing constructively to resolving the crisis. Serving as a representative of Mexico, she joined the assembly convened under the Caricom presidency, in response to the invitation extended by pro tempore president Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and under the directive of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
During the session held in Kingston, Jamaica, Secretary Bárcena Ibarra underscored the gravity of Haiti’s escalating violence, emphasizing that sustainable solutions must emerge from within Haiti itself, embracing all domestic stakeholders while eschewing external interference, yet embracing international support.
“The enduring resolution can only emerge from within Haiti, with the involvement of all stakeholders, devoid of foreign interference but bolstered by genuine international backing,” declared Secretary Bárcena Ibarra.
Furthermore, Secretary Bárcena Ibarra condemned the violent actions perpetrated by organized criminal factions, recognizing their deleterious impact on Haiti’s institutions and legal frameworks.
She urged for concerted efforts to address the intricate political and security landscape in Haiti, emphasizing the imperative of prioritizing the nation’s interests and fostering consensus to surmount the crisis. Such measures, she noted, could pave the way for expeditious electoral processes, enabling Haitians to freely elect their leaders and heralding the reinstatement of democratic institutions.
The meeting witnessed the participation of several notable figures including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, alongside Prime Ministers Andrew Michael Holness of Jamaica, Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados. Also present were UN Chief of Staff Earle Courtenay Rattray and Deputy Secretary-General Miroslav Jen?a.
In reiterating Mexico’s commitment, Secretary Bárcena Ibarra affirmed the nation’s readiness to collaborate with Haitian authorities and the global community in achieving these objectives.
She emphasized Mexico’s longstanding support through cooperative programs, including training initiatives for Haiti’s National Police and Armed Forces.
Moreover, she highlighted Mexico’s humanitarian efforts, providing refuge to over 43,000 Haitians and facilitating their integration into Mexican society, while emphasizing the importance of ensuring migration remains a choice, not a necessity, for Haitians.
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