On Wednesday, December 19, 2023, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) sent a letter to President Joe Biden calling on the administration to address the growing insecurity and crisis current humanitarian situation in Haiti. In their letter, the senators expressed serious concerns about the lack of progress made by Haiti in establishing a legitimate, democratically elected Government supported by the Haitian constitution. Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) are also co-signatories.

In their letter to President Biden, the lawmakers write: "In September of this year, you called upon the United Nations to approve the resulting security support mission to help Haiti stem the surging gang violence. However, without a functioning, democratically elected government, an international security mission will not sufficiently address the complexity of the current crisis and could effectively reinforce Henry’s illegitimate and ineffective rule. Haiti needs a transitional government that has credibility with the Haitian people and the ability and will to hold free and fair elections."

In their letter, the senators request answers to the following questions :

1. What is the U.S. government’s assessment of its efforts to rely on Ariel Henry to stabilize Haiti and organize elections? When does the U.S. expect elections to take place?

2. Will you commit to reengaging with the civil society-led process for creating a transitional government in Haiti, without granting Ariel Henry or PHTK a de facto veto over a new transitional government?

3. Will you commit to moving forward with targeted Global Magnitsky Act sanctions on Haitian elites and officials responsible for colluding with violent gangs and engaging in significant acts of corruption, including relevant leaders of PHTK?

4. What additional steps will you take to stop the flow of heavy weapons and ammunition into Haiti from the U.S. and through the Dominican Republic?

Download the letter from Democratic Senators to Biden (English PDF) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/letter_on_haitian_elections.pdf

HL/ HaitiLibre