President Biden rebuffs Haiti’s request for US to send troops to protect infrastructure after assassination

President Joe Biden of the United States of America has rebuffed Haiti’s plea for help and refused to send in troops following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

Haitian government officials pleaded with the US President for help to safeguard the country’s infrastructure on Friday.

President Jovenel Moise (above) was assassinated on Wednesday Credit: AFP

Concerns are growing or the island following the assassination Credit: AFP

The goal was to protect Haiti’s port, airport, gasoline reserves, and other key installations as the country has descended into turmoil in the wake of the brazen assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on Wednesday.

Haitian Minister of elections Mathias Pierre said the request was made because President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken had vowed to help.

A letter from Prime Minister Claude Joseph office to the U.S. embassy in Haiti obtained by Reuters requested the dispatch of troops to support the national police in reestablishing security and protecting key infrastructure across the country.

A similar letter was sent to the U.N. office in Haiti, Reuters reports.

Haiti has a history of unwanted American military meddling.

But fears have been growing that unrest and political turmoil after the attack could inflame the country’s worst crisis in a generation.

Haiti has been plagued by political intrigue and gang violence, plus a public health crisis driven by the Covid pandemic and problems receiving international aid.

Security forces member exchange gunfire with armed men next to the Petionville police station in Port-au-Prince Credit: AFP

People try to recover usable material from a burned-out car during a protest Credit: AP

Concerns are growing that the already fragile country will descend further into turmoil after the president’s assassination are growing

On Friday State Department spokeswoman, Jalina Porter told a news briefing she could not confirm such a request.

Yet the White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, did say that the United States would be sending senior FBI and homeland security officials to Port-au-Prince “as soon as possible” to help out.

Haitian authorities have said the assassination involved “foreign” forces.

Police have identified more than two dozen people involved in the assassination of the president, including 26 Colombians and two Americans of Haitian descent.

Haiti has appealed to the White House for help Credit: Reuters

A crowd surrounds the Petionville Police station where armed men, accused of being involved in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, are being held credit: AFP

Haiti remains in turmoil as new authorities are still to be defined and assassins identifies Credit: Getty