Blinken Pushes for Electoral Council Amidst Haitian Crisis

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Haiti to discuss the establishment of an electoral council with local leaders. The council aims to facilitate elections in 2024 amidst ongoing security issues dominated by violent gangs. Prime Minister Garry Conille had recently expanded a state of emergency to the entire nation.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his visit to Haiti on Thursday, emphasized the urgency of establishing an electoral council to organize elections in the Caribbean nation next year. Following a meeting with Transitional Presidential Council Coordinator Edgard Leblanc Fils, Blinken highlighted the critical importance of this step for the country's political future.

'We hope to see that stood up soon, because that's a critical next step in moving forward and organizing elections for next year,' Blinken stated in Port-au-Prince, according to live video feeds. His visit occurs amidst escalating violence from gangs that have taken over significant portions of the capital and are expanding into adjacent areas.

Prime Minister Garry Conille, on Wednesday, expanded the existing state of emergency to encompass the entire nation. During a separate meeting, Blinken acknowledged the challenging yet promising situation in Haiti, praising the progress since the transitional council's formation in April after the resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

The arrival of Kenyan police officers in June, part of a U.N.-backed security mission heavily supported by the U.S., aims to combat gang violence and secure territories. 'Security is the foundation of everything that needs to happen going forward,' stressed Blinken, noting the connection to the electoral process.

(With inputs from agencies.)