U.S. and Haiti spar over drug enforcement

U.S. and Haiti spar over drug enforcement

U.S. officials in Haiti are standing up for U.S. efforts to help stem the drug trade in Haiti after President Ren' Pr'val said in a speech before Parliament that the U.S. and other countries have failed to help stop criminal activities the president sees as the main cause of instability in Haiti.

   After Pr'val pointed a finger at the U.S., U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Shaila Manyam challenged that assessment, noting the U.S. has given more than $40 million to Haiti's national police since 2004. She added the U.S. has helped Haiti improve its legal system and helped train its coast guard to stop drug trafficking.

   Pr'val said drug smuggling between the U.S. and Haiti, as well as drug-related gang activities within the country, are destabilizing the country as a whole. He said Haiti's lack of funds to fight the activities requires greater support from the U.S. and other countries.