Jamaica is willing to send police, and soldiers to Haiti to help restore peace

Jamaica says it is willing to participate in a multinational security team that could be deployed to assist in efforts to restore stability in Haiti.

That country has been plagued with gang violence over the past few years but it has escaped over in recent months.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness prime minister said he has already alerted the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) about the possibility of such aid.

“Both the JDF and the JCF have been alerted to this possible course of support and they would have started to plan for such eventualities as part of their routine situational awareness and response awareness,” Holness said.

Holness said that the country reaffirms its commitment to working with CARICOM and bilateral partners such as Canada, the United States and the wider international community, saying that the aim is towards achieving sustainable solutions for the situation in Haiti.

“The people of Haiti continue to have their human rights threatened by powerful gangs and militias which carry out heinous crimes, including murder, kidnappings and violence against women and children.”

The prime minister noted that Jamaica and Haiti have enjoyed longstanding good relations and partnerships as neighbors.