US deploys Marines to embassy in Haiti amid rising unrest

As tensions and civil unrest escalate in Haiti, the United States announced Wednesday, March 13, it will heighten security measures by deploying an additional team of Marines to the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince. This action comes in the wake of the turmoil that led to the resignation of Acting Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, after a series of anti-government protests and violence swept through the nation.

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The Marine Fleet-Anti-Terrorism Security Team, known as the FAST team, aims to reinforce the security of the embassy. The U.S. Southern Command stated that the deployment is intended to ensure the embassy remains capable of assisting U.S. citizens and supporting Haitian efforts toward a peaceful transition of power.

“At the request of the Department of State, the U.S. Southern Command deployed a U.S. Marine Fleet-Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) to maintain strong security capabilities at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and conduct relief in place for our current Marines, a common and routine practice worldwide,” a U.S. Southern Command spokesperson said. “The U.S. Embassy remains open, and limited operations continue, focused on assistance to US citizens and supporting Haitian led efforts to secure a peaceful transition of power.”

In addition to the Marines’ deployment, U.S. military helicopters were utilized earlier this week to evacuate non-essential American personnel from the embassy. Despite the evacuations, a State Department official informed ABC News that a substantial number of diplomats are still stationed at the embassy, continuing their duties amidst the unrest.

The Defense Department is intensifying its involvement with the Multinational Security Support Mission, collaborating with Haitian and Kenyan partners to expedite the provision of resources necessary for assisting the Haitian National Police in restoring peace and security across the country.