After the assassination in Haiti of President Jovenel Moise, Daniel Foote was elected to the position . The career diplomat was well-known for his frustration with Washington’s lack of urgency and the slow pace at which he tried to improve Haiti’s conditions.
Foote wrote Secretary Antony Blinken, stating that he would be resigning immediately “with deep regret and apologies for those who seek crucial changes.”
He wrote that he would not associate himself with the inhumane and counterproductive United States decision to deport thousands Haitian refugees and illegal immigrant to Haiti. This is a country where American officials are kept in secure compounds due to the threat posed to daily life by armed groups. “Our policy approach to Haiti is still deeply flawed. My policy recommendations have been ignored or dismissed.
The State Department criticised Foote’s resignation at a crucial juncture, and countered suggestions that his policies were not followed.
Ned Price, spokesman for the Special Envoy Foote stated in a written statement that “This is a difficult moment that requires leadership.” “It is regrettable that Special Envoy Foote, instead of participating to a solutions-oriented process in policy, has resigned and mischaracterized his circumstances.”
Price said that the president’s advisors are responsible for providing him with the best advice. Price stated that while no ideas should be ignored, not all ideas can be considered good ones.
The sudden departure of Foote leaves an void in U.S. policies toward Haiti. After being nominated for another State Department position, Ambassador Michele Sison will likely leave soon. She adds another crucial voice to the administration’s response to Haitians camped at the Texas border.
The criticism has been fuelled by images of Border Patrol agents riding on horses using aggressive tactics against migrants. Democrats and other pro-immigration groups claim that efforts to expel thousands from Haitians without giving them the chance to seek asylum is against American principles.
Since Saturday’s expulsion of more than 14,000 migrants, the migrant camp has been reduced significantly. Many were released and others expelled in the U.S.A with notices to notify immigration authorities.
According to Haitian officials, the expulsion flights to Haiti started Sunday and reached 10 by Tuesday night. Officials in the U.S. claim that they plan to increase the number of flights by seven per day. This would be the largest, most rapid expulsions the U.S. has seen in many decades.
At least one Haitian official cheered Foote’s resignation and accused the Biden administration for violating the rights Haitian migrants.
Mathias Pierre, Haiti’s election minister, stated that this was the first time that a U.S. diplomat has gone against the will U.S. government. We salute that.
Pierre also criticised Haiti’s elite for not paying attention to the fact that migration is fuelling the economy. He pointed out that 35% Haiti’s gross national product is made up of remittances. The diaspora sends approximately $3.8 billion annually to the U.S.
Ariel Henry, Haiti’s Prime Minister, has not spoken out about the expulsions. He stated that his government was concerned about the conditions migrants are facing at the U.S. Border and that it would help those being sent back to Haiti. Pierre was much more critical of U.S.
Pierre stated that while they are receiving thousands of Afghans, they reject Haitians, even though Haiti is in the midst of a crisis. This includes a crisis caused by the earthquake, the assassination and a poverty crisis, which is clearly why people are fleeing.
Foote was previously Haiti’s deputy chief of mission. He is also a former ambassador from Zambia. He worked in his new role with the U.S. Ambassador to Haiti following the assassination of the president.
He had been pushing Washington for weeks a plan to increase U.S. assistance to Haiti in order to make way for new presidential elections. Haitian observers said that he was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the speed of the government’s decision-making.
“When someone tasked with Haiti’s policy at the highest levels resigns, it’s troubling because’recommendations were ignored and dismissed’. It’s not only troubling but also shows that this administration doesn’t tolerate anyone who doesn’t agree with their distorted view. Damian Merlo is a Republican strategist who worked for years on Haiti’s policy and is now a registered lobbyist to the government. “Dan Foote, a diplomat of world-class calibre who refuses to listen to what others tell him, is an example of a great diplomat. I wish that more foreign service officers would have the courage to speak up and confront their bosses.
