US Security Secretary to meet Cubans and Haitians in Miami

United States Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, will visit Miami next week to meet members of the Cuban and Haitian communities, an official source reported on Wednesday.

Mayorkas, an immigrant of Cuban origin, will use his visit to Miami to “Reaffirm President (Joe) Biden’s commitment to hold the Cuban regime accountable and support the Cuban people”The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement.

The official note does not specify the exact dates of Mayorkas’ trip or who he will meet, but emphasizes that his goal is “Ensure that Cuban Americans remain an essential partner” in the efforts of the Biden government to help “those who are suffering on the island”.

In addition, Mayorkas will meet with representatives of the Haitian diaspora and Americans with roots in this island to “Address the impact of the political crisis in Haiti and the efforts of the United States to help the Haitian people”said the statement.

During his visit, Mayorkas will also meet with emergency crews and others who led the “heroic response efforts” to last June’s building collapse in Surfside, north of Miami Beach, which killed 98 people.

The trip is part of White House attempts to improve relations with Cuban exile and to refine its policy towards the island, following the July 11 anti-government protests in Cuba.

Mayorkas, who left Cuba with his parents in 1960 after the triumph of the revolution led by Fidel Castro, had already On July 13, he called on Cubans and Haitians to avoid going to sea to escape the crises in their respective countries. “No immigrant intercepted at sea, regardless of nationality, will be allowed to enter the United States,” Mayorkas said at a press conference at the time.

In Haiti, the political crisis worsened after the assassination on July 7 of Haitian President Jovenel Moise in the hands of a command of 26 mercenaries, mostly Colombians, who broke into the presidential residence, according to surveys. The United States offered assistance in the assassination investigation and urged the Haitian government to establish the conditions necessary for the holding of “free and fair” legislative and presidential elections as soon as possible.

(With information from EFE)

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