Ortega Denounces U.S. Militarization of Haiti

President Daniel Ortega has denounced the U.S. militarization of Haiti and called for the removal of U.S. troops from “Latin American and Caribbean territory.”

Ortega compared the U.S. government’s response to the earthquake in Haiti to the 1983 Marine invasion of Grenada, and accused Washington of “manipulating a drama to install U.S. troops in Haiti.”

“Haiti is asking for humanitarian aid, they’re not asking for troops,” Ortega said. Brazil and France have also complained about the U.S.’ militarization of airport in Port-au-Prince. U.S. officials this week announced the U.S. would have some 4,000 troops in Haiti by the end of the week.

Nicaragua, meanwhile, sent a 34- member humanitarian rescue unit to Haiti last weekend, along with three tons of medical supplies. Brigade leader Mario Perezcassar reported to President Ortega Jan. 15 that Nicaraguan rescue workers had managed to save two people from the wreckage, 72 hours after the earthquake.

Perezcassar also reported that Nicaraguan brigadiers had set more than 40 fractures and attended to more than 200 victims.

–Nica Times