ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) voices amplified calls for urgent international intervention in Haiti during the inaugural Caribbean-EU Parliamentary Assembly this week. Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda addressed assembled parliamentarians from both regions, emphasizing that Haiti’s escalating security crisis demands immediate containment to enable democratic processes.
Addressing lawmakers at the historic gathering, Browne articulated that Haiti’s multidimensional crisis demonstrates the inseparable interconnection between security, governance, and sustainable development. ‘The situation reminds us that these fundamental pillars cannot be addressed in isolation,’ stated Browne during his keynote address.
The Caribbean leader reaffirmed regional commitment to supporting Haitian-led solutions while calling for sustained international engagement. He emphasized that restoring security constitutes the immediate priority to alleviate civilian suffering and establish necessary conditions for credible elections.
‘Control must be established over the security situation to terminate the anguish of Haitian citizens and facilitate transparent electoral processes,’ Browne asserted. ‘Only then can democratic governance institutions be fully reinstated.’
Notably, Browne highlighted that the majority of European Union assistance directed toward the Caribbean region currently focuses on Haiti, underscoring both the severity of the crisis and its broader implications for regional stability.
The Prime Minister’s address occurred during the opening session of the first Caribbean-EU Parliamentary Assembly convened in Antigua and Barbuda. This three-day diplomatic gathering aims to strengthen multilateral cooperation under the recently adopted Samoa Agreement framework.
Haiti continues to confront unprecedented gang violence, political paralysis, and economic collapse, prompting increased regional and international demands for coordinated intervention and comprehensive governance reforms. Browne concluded that stability in Haiti remains essential not merely for its population but for wider Caribbean security and developmental progress.