The U.S. has intervened in Haitian politics and economy through military intervention,

Some examples of U.S. foreign policy

Foreign Policy / By / / elections, foreign policy, human rights, United States, US Imperialism

Some examples of how U.S. foreign policy has affected Haiti in a negative way throughout history.

 

Occupation: In 1915, the United States occupied Haiti for nearly 20 years, during which time it imposed economic policies that benefited U.S. businesses but hurt the Haitian economy. The U.S. also suppressed political dissent and imposed a constitution that concentrated power in the hands of the presidency, which led to the rise of authoritarian leaders in the country.
The damages arising from the United States occupation of Haiti in 1915 include:

  • Economic exploitation and control of Haiti’s resources and markets by US corporations.
  • The imposition of a US-controlled National Bank and financial system.
  • The suppression of political dissent and civil liberties.
  • The use of brutal force and repression by US military forces to maintain control.
  • The suppression of traditional culture and customs.
  • The forced labor of Haitians to build infrastructure and other projects.
  • The displacement and forced relocation of large numbers of Haitians.
  • An increase in poverty and inequality.
  • Damage to the country’s economy and social fabric.
  • Loss of sovereignty and self-determination for Haiti.

Support for Authoritarian leaders: The U.S. has at times supported authoritarian leaders in Haiti, including the Duvalier regime, which was responsible for widespread human rights abuses. The U.S. government also provided financial and military support to the Duvalier regime, which helped to sustain it in power.
The damages arising from the Duvalier regime in Haiti include:

  • Human rights violations, including political repression, torture, and extrajudicial killings by the regime.
  • The suppression of political dissent and civil liberties.
  • The corruption and mismanagement of the country’s resources and economy.
  • The devastation of the country’s infrastructure and social services.
  • The displacement and forced relocation of large numbers of Haitians.
  • An increase in poverty and inequality.
  • Damage to the country’s economy and social fabric.
  • Loss of sovereignty and self-determination for Haiti.
  • The continuation of a violent and authoritarian government
  • The use of secret police and state-sponsored violence to maintain control.
  • Economic exploitation of the population, especially the poor
  • The forced exile of thousands of political opponents and critics of the regime
  • The erosion of traditional culture and customs.
  • The widespread use of propaganda to maintain support and control the population.

 

Economic policies: The U.S. has often imposed economic policies on Haiti that have hurt the country’s economy, including trade policies that have made it difficult for Haitian products to compete on the global market. The U.S. has also used aid and loans as leverage to influence Haitian economic policies, which has led to a dependence on foreign aid and a lack of economic growth. United States economic policies have had a significant impact on Haiti, both historically and in the present day. Some specific policies and actions that have affected Haiti include:

  • Imposition of economic sanctions and embargoes, which have hindered Haiti’s economic development and access to international markets.
  • Control of Haiti’s financial system and resources through the establishment of a US-controlled National Bank and financial system during the 1915-1934 occupation of Haiti.
  • Support for authoritarian and corrupt governments in Haiti, such as the Duvalier regime, which has perpetuated poverty and inequality.
  • The imposition of structural adjustment policies, which have led to the privatization of state-owned enterprises, reduction of government spending on social services, and other measures that have disproportionately affected the poor.
  • The continuation of trade policies such as the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), which have allowed US companies to exploit Haiti’s cheap labor and natural resources while providing little benefit to the Haitian economy.
  • The failure of the US government to provide adequate aid and assistance to Haiti in times of crisis, such as natural disasters.
  • The use of tariffs and other trade barriers to limit the exports of Haitian goods to the US market, which affects Haiti’s economic development.
  • The promotion of policies that have led to the exploitation of Haiti’s resources and environment by foreign companies
  • The use of non-humanitarian aid to pressure the Haitian government to align with US interests.
  • These policies have had a negative impact on Haiti’s economy, hindered the country’s development, and perpetuated poverty and inequality in the country.

 

Political interference: The U.S. has often interfered in Haiti’s internal politics, including supporting coups and regime change, which has led to instability and human rights abuses. The U.S. has also imposed sanctions and embargoes on Haiti, which have hurt the country’s economy and led to widespread poverty. United States political interference in Haiti has occurred throughout history, some examples of this include:

  • The 1915-1934 occupation of Haiti by the United States, during which the US government imposed a US-controlled National Bank and financial system, suppressed political dissent and civil liberties, and used brutal force and repression to maintain control.
  • The support of the Duvalier dictatorship in the 1950s and 1960s, which was characterized by widespread human rights abuses, corruption, and economic mismanagement.
  • The overthrow of democratically-elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 1991 and 2004, which was backed by the US government and resulted in political instability and human rights abuses.
  • The imposition of economic sanctions and embargoes on Haiti, which have hindered the country’s economic development and access to international markets.
  • The use of aid and assistance as a tool of political pressure to force Haiti to align with US interests.
  • The support of political candidates and parties in Haiti that align with US interests, often at the expense of democratically-elected leaders and political groups that do not align with US interests.
  • The use of military and covert operations in Haiti to overthrow governments and interfere in the country’s internal affairs.
  • The use of non-humanitarian aid to pressure the Haitian government to align with US interests.
  • The influence of US-based organizations and lobby groups on US policy towards Haiti
  • The use of propaganda and disinformation to influence public opinion in Haiti and internationally.
  • These actions have often been done in the name of US national security interests, but have had a negative impact on the people of Haiti, hindering the country’s democratic development and respect for human rights.

Natural Disaster: The U.S. has been criticized for its response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, which many believe was inadequate and failed to address the underlying issues of poverty and inequality that have long plagued the country. The U.S. was criticized for not providing enough aid and not coordinating well with other countries and organizations in the relief effort.

  • Inadequate funding: The US government initially committed to providing $100 million in aid to Haiti, but later reduced that amount to $48 million, leaving aid organizations and the Haitian government struggling to provide basic services to the affected population.
  • Prioritizing security over aid: A significant portion of the funding provided by the US government in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake was directed towards securing the airport and other key infrastructure, rather than providing aid to the affected population.
  • Inadequate focus on long-term recovery: The majority of the funding provided by the US government in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake was directed towards emergency relief efforts, such as providing food, water, and medical care to the affected population, rather than addressing the long-term needs of the country, such as rebuilding infrastructure, housing, and the economy.
  • Insufficient transparency and accountability: The US government has been criticized for a lack of transparency and accountability in how the funds provided in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake were spent, and for not providing detailed information about how the funds were allocated and used.
  • Favoritism on certain sectors: The US government has been criticized for channeling a significant portion of the funds provided in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake to organizations and groups with ties to the US government, rather than to Haitian organizations and groups that were better equipped to provide assistance to the affected population.
  • Limited focus on local and small business: The US government has been criticized for not providing enough support to small and local Haitian businesses, who could have been key actors in the country’s recovery and growth.
  • Limited focus on empowerment and self-sufficiency: The US government has been criticized for not providing enough support to programs that could have helped Haitians become self-sufficient and empowered, such as education and vocational training programs, microfinance programs, and other initiatives that would have helped Haitians build a better future for themselves.

Deportation: In the early 20th century, the U.S. government started deporting Haitians, mainly from the Dominican Republic, as a way to limit the number of immigrants from Haiti. This has resulted in separation of families and economic hardship for many individuals and communities. US immigration policies have led to large numbers of Haitians being deported from the US, which has separated families and disrupted communities in Haiti.

 

  • Difficulty in obtaining legal status: US immigration policies have made it difficult for Haitians to obtain legal status in the US, which has limited their ability to access education, healthcare, and other services.
  • Limited access to asylum: US immigration policies have also limited access to asylum for Haitians, which has made it difficult for those fleeing persecution or violence to find refuge in the US.
  • TPS: The US has terminated the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants, which has led to the possibility of deportation for thousands of Haitians who have been living and working in the US for many years.
  • Economic impact: Deportations and limited access to legal status can also have economic impacts on Haiti, as many Haitians who are deported or unable to obtain legal status in the US may not be able to send remittances to support their families back home.
  • Political impact: Deportations and limited access to legal status can also have a political impact on Haiti, as many Haitians who are deported or unable to obtain legal status in the US may not be able to participate in the political process of their home country.
  • Economic Sanctions: In the 1990s, the U.S. imposed economic sanctions on Haiti, which hurt the country’s already struggling economy. The sanctions were imposed in an attempt to force the Haitian government to restore democracy, but they led to widespread poverty and human rights abuses.
  • Economic impact: The sanctions limited trade and investment between the US and Haiti, which negatively impacted the country’s economy and led to job losses and economic hardship.
  • The sanctions also made it difficult for the country to access international financial aid and resources.
  • Humanitarian impact: The sanctions also had a humanitarian impact, as they limited access to food, medicine, and other essential goods. This particularly affected the most vulnerable populations in the country, such as children and the elderly.
  • Political impact: The sanctions put pressure on the military government to restore democracy and respect for human rights in the country.
  • Limiting the private sector: The sanctions made it difficult for the private sector to operate and grow, which affected the economic development in the country.
  • Dependence on foreign aid: The sanctions increased the dependency of the country on foreign aid which affected the sustainability of the country in the long run.
  • Lack of transparency: The sanctions also had a lack of transparency in the way they were implemented, which created confusion and difficulties for both the Haitian government and the private sector.

 

Military intervention: The U.S. has intervened in Haitian politics and economy through military intervention, which has led to the death of many civilians and political instability. The U.S. has also been involved in training and equipping the Haitian military, which has been accused of human rights abuses.

  • The Front for the Advancement and Progress of Haiti (FRAPH) was a paramilitary organization in Haiti that was active during the 1990s. It has been accused of committing human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and torture. The US has been criticized for supporting FRAPH in various ways, which include:
  • Funding: The US government has been accused of providing financial support to FRAPH during the 1990s.
  • Training: The US government has been accused of training members of FRAPH in counter-insurgency tactics.
  • Political support: The US government has been accused of providing political support to FRAPH and its leaders.
  • Failure to take action: The US government has been criticized for failing to take action against FRAPH and its leaders for human rights abuses.
  • Turning a blind eye: The US government has been accused of turning a blind eye to the human rights abuses committed by FRAPH, including not pressuring the Haitian military government to investigate or prosecute those responsible.
  • Extrajudicial killings: FRAPH has been accused of committing extrajudicial killings of political opponents, including members of the political opposition, human rights activists, and other perceived opponents of the military government.
  • Torture: FRAPH has been accused of committing acts of torture, including beatings, electric shocks, and other forms of cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment.
  • Forced disappearances: FRAPH has been accused of forcibly disappearing individuals, including political opponents, human rights activists, and other perceived opponents of the military government.
  • Rape: FRAPH has been accused of committing acts of rape and sexual violence against women, including political opponents, human rights activists, and other perceived opponents of the military government.
  • Arbitrary detention: FRAPH has been accused of arbitrarily detaining individuals, including political opponents, human rights activists, and other perceived opponents of the military government.
  • Intimidation: FRAPH has been accused of intimidating political opponents, human rights activists, and other perceived opponents of the military government, including through the use of death threats, threats of violence, and other forms of intimidation.
  • Property destruction: FRAPH has been accused of destroying the property of political opponents, human rights activists, and other perceived opponents of the military government.
  • It’s important to note that the human rights violations committed by FRAPH are a matter of public record and have been documented by various human rights organizations and international bodies.
  • Jean-Bertrand Aristide was the President of Haiti from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001 to 2004. He was ousted from power in 1991 by a military coup and then again in 2004. The US government has been accused of playing a role in both of these events, specifically in the latter one.
  • Political opposition: Aristide was an outspoken critic of US policy in the region, and his government had a history of opposing US-backed economic and political initiatives in Haiti.
  • Political ideology: Fanmi Lavalas is known for its populist and leftist policies, which may be at odds with the policies of the US government.
  • Economic policies: The US government may be unsupportive of Fanmi Lavalas’ economic policies, which may be seen as detrimental to US economic interests.
  • Nationalization: Fanmi Lavalas has advocated for the nationalization of certain industries, such as mining and telecommunications, which may negatively impact US companies operating in those sectors.
  • Protectionism: Fanmi Lavalas has advocated for protectionist economic policies, such as import tariffs and quotas, which may negatively impact US businesses that export to Haiti.
  • Foreign investment: Fanmi Lavalas has been critical of foreign investment in the country, which may discourage US companies from investing in Haiti.
  • Agricultural policies: Fanmi Lavalas has advocated for policies that prioritize the needs of small farmers over large agribusinesses, which may negatively impact US companies that export agricultural products from Haiti.
  • Limited access to resources: Fanmi Lavalas economic policies have limited access to resources such as financial aid and foreign investment, which may make it more difficult for US companies to do business in Haiti.
  • Underfunding: The U.S. has been criticized for underfunding aid to Haiti, which has made it difficult for the country to rebuild after natural disasters and political turmoil. The U.S. has also been criticized for not providing enough aid to Haiti, which has led to widespread poverty and lack of economic growth.
  • Political instability: US foreign policy has contributed to political instability in Haiti, which has negatively affected the ability of the government to provide adequate education opportunities to its citizens.
  • Limited funding: US foreign aid for education programs in Haiti has been limited, which has hindered the ability to improve the quality of public education in the country.
  • Prioritization of other issues: US foreign policy has also prioritized other issues such as economic development and security over education, which has led to limited resources for education initiatives.
  • Interference in domestic matters: US foreign policy has been criticized for interference in domestic matters of Haiti which has affected the ability of the local government to provide education services.
  • Humanitarian Assistance: US foreign policy has been criticized for its approach to humanitarian assistance in Haiti, which has failed to address the long-term needs of the education system.
  • Lack of cultural sensitivity: US foreign policy has been criticized for a lack of cultural sensitivity in its approach to education in Haiti, which has led to the implementation of education programs that are not well-suited to the country’s cultural context.
  • Dependence on foreign aid: US foreign policy has been criticized for creating dependency on foreign aid in Haiti, which has affected the sustainability of the education system in the long run.
  • Privatization: World Bank policies have been criticized for promoting privatization of education in Haiti, which has led to the exclusion of poor and marginalized communities from access to education.
  • Conditionality: World Bank policies have been criticized for imposing conditionality on aid to Haiti, which has affected the ability of the government to provide education services.

 

Discrimination: The U.S. has been accused of discriminatory policies towards Haitian immigrants, including the treatment of Haitian refugees fleeing political turmoil and economic hardship. The U.S. has been criticized for not providing enough assistance to Haitian immigrants and for deporting many of them back to Haiti, which has led to a lack of economic opportunities and political instability in the country.

  • Economic policies: Some critics argue that US economic policies in Haiti have contributed to poverty and inequality in the country, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups such as the rural poor and people of color.
  • Political intervention: The US has been accused of intervening in Haitian politics in ways that have favored certain groups over others, particularly the elite and business interests.
  • Deportation policies: The US has been criticized for deporting large numbers of Haitians, often separating families and disrupting communities in Haiti. This has disproportionately affected the poor and marginalized groups.
  • Immigration policies: The US has been criticized for making it difficult for Haitians to obtain legal status in the US, which has limited their ability to access education, healthcare, and other services.