This week Quixote Center learned that the town of Gros Morne, Haiti, the location of our long-term partnerships, was the victim of a horrific gang massacre. Haiti’s criminal gangs utilize weapons they obtain illegally from the United States.
While that massacre was taking place, Quixote Center was organizing, in collaboration with 24 co-sponsors, two days of meetings and briefings in Congress to raise the visibility of the issue and to try and convince them to take steps to end weapons trafficking from the United States to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Haiti is facing a catastrophic human rights crisis, with criminal gangs in control of 90% of the capital as well as the country’s infrastructure. Haiti’s gangs use weapons they obtain illegally from the United States. In Mexico, at least 70% of the firearms seized and traced originated in the United States. Each year, it is estimated that over 135,000 firearms are trafficked into Mexico from the U.S. Cartel violence destabilizes countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, leading to gang violence, human rights violations, and ultimately, migration. Transnational criminal organizations involved in drug and human trafficking depend on weapons illegally obtained in the United States due to lenient gun laws. To address the root causes of migration and promote regional stability, curbing arms trafficking from the United States must be a top priority.
On Tuesday we held a congressional staff briefing in the Capitol Building, with over 100 in attendance. Presentations included testimonies from individuals in Haiti and Mexico who have suffered personally from cartel violence. We also highlighted the horrific sexual violence against women and girls that gangs with weapons are perpetrating on the people of Haiti. We finished with an explanation of legislative remedies that would improve enforcement of US laws that already make trafficking in weapons illegal.
On Wednesday our coalition participated in 35 individual meetings with staff of their Representatives and Senators, urging them to take action on this critical issue. People in Haiti do not understand why the government of the United States is allowing gun dealers and manufacturers to act outside of the law and destabilize Haiti. Quixote Center is responding to their appeals with action.
Even if you were unable to attend the meetings this week, you can still take action and send a letter to your own representatives. Thank you for all you do to support Quixote Center’s mission.
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