Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced plans on Wednesday to send more than 250 soldiers and other forces to protect the state from an influx of potential illegal immigrants from Haiti.
DeSantis’ decision was a response to the wave of gang violence and rioting that has gripped the Caribbean island because of a political vacuum that has plunged the country into what some experts call a near-civil war. The governor said in a statement:
For quite some time, the State of Florida has been dedicating significant resources to combat illegal vessels coming to Florida from countries such as Haiti.
The troopers being deployed include 23 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, 30 additional Florida Highway Patrol officers, 39 Florida Department of Law Enforcement officers and 48 National Guardsmen, according to the governor’s office. DeSantis will also send up to 133 soldiers from the Florida State Guard to the Keys.
On Tuesday, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced he would step down after convening the traditional presidential council. His announcement came in response to international pressure.
Haiti’s crisis is partly linked to the struggle to replace President Jovenel Moise, who was assassinated in 2021. The nation is split over how to replace him, and political divisions have been brewing for some time.
In addition to the rise in banditry ravaging the island nation, Haitians also face shortages of food and other vital goods. Henry’s resignation announcement came in response to this unrest.
Back in 2021, a flood of Haitian migrants poured into the US-Mexico border. DeSantis also seeks to prevent the possibility of a similar situation near Florida.
The United Nations estimates that gangs control 80% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Haiti is located more than 700 miles off the coast of Florida.
DeSantis, a Republican and former presidential candidate, has also been a vocal critic of immigration at the southern border. He pledged last month to send Florida troops to Texas to help with a crackdown at the US-Mexico border.
