US Secretary Blinken Visits Haiti Amid Security Crisis

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Haiti to reaffirm US commitment to a UN-backed mission addressing gang violence and encourage general elections. Kenyan police lead the mission despite concerns about funding and equipment. Blinken's visit follows an extended state of emergency in Haiti.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived Thursday in Haiti to reaffirm the US government's commitment to a multinational mission to fight gangs in the Caribbean country and push for long-awaited general elections.

Some 400 Kenyan police have been deployed to Haiti to lead a UN-backed mission to quell gang violence in the Haitian capital and beyond, but concerns have grown that the mission lacks enough funding and equipment.

Blinken is scheduled to meet with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and a nine-member transitional presidential council that was created after former Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned. He also planned to meet with unspecified political party leaders.

(With inputs from agencies.)