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Haiti - US Coast Guard : Visit to Haiti of Rear Admiral Brendan C. McPherson
13/03/2023 11:15:39

The Charge d'Affaires of the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince Eric Stromayer welcomed Rear Admiral Brendan C. McPherson, Commander of the 7th Coast Guard District and Director of the "Homeland Security Task Force SouthEast" (HSTF -SE), during his visit to Port-au-Prince last week. While there, the Admiral met with the Commander a.i. of the Haitian National Police and the Haitian Coast Guard to express his gratitude for their close coordination in working to prevent and deter dangerous migratory journeys at sea.

HSTF-SE and the U.S. Coast Guard continually patrol the Florida Straits, Windward and Mona Passages to prevent and deter illegal maritime migration into the continental United States and its territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"Illegal maritime travel in the Caribbean is always dangerous and very often deadly," said Rear Admiral Brendan C. McPherson. “Smugglers routinely exploit vulnerable migrants for profit while putting their lives at risk on board overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels. These dangerous journeys should not be attempted. Safe, legal and orderly migration saves lives."

According to the Missing Migrants Project, of the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM), migrant deaths and disappearances in the Caribbean reached a record high of 321 in 2022. IOM reported that most dead or missing migrants came from Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. The first cause of death was drowning, mainly due to bad weather conditions which make navigation difficult as well as the use of makeshift boats in poor condition or not designed for navigating the high seas.

Let's recall that the US Coast Guard has a long-standing relationship with the Haitian Coast Guard that includes training programs, humanitarian assistance and migrant repatriation agreements. In Haiti, the U.S. Coast Guard has responded to humanitarian disasters, assisted Haitian security forces, and rescued many Haitians in peril at sea. Rear Admiral Brendan C. McPherson's visit reaffirms the U.S. Coast Guard's commitment to protecting the United States and supporting the people of Haiti.

HL/ HaitiLibre