Briceño Uses UN Address to Push Action on Haiti

Prime Minister John Briceño used Belize’s address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday to make four appeals: stronger action for Haiti, an end to the blockade on Cuba, justice for Palestinians and a place for Taiwan in the UN system. The speech came during the General Debate, where world leaders set out their countries’ positions on international issues under this year’s theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.” On Haiti, Briceño said the country’s crisis belongs to the wider Caribbean. He called for the gang suppression force to be fully deployed so that a Haitian-led political transition and planned elections have a chance to succeed. 

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “I begin close to home. Haiti’s crisis is our crisis. Haiti is the Caribbean. While there are grounds for hope in elections now scheduled for December, there’s also grave concern over a spike in violence threatening that process. Belize echoes the call of the CARICOM Eminent Person’s group. The gang suppression force must be urgently and fully deployed. A Haitian-led, Haitian-owned political transition deserves a security environment in which it can actually succeed. Belize stands with the people of Haiti and with CARICOM in asking for nothing less.”