Uruguay considering withdraw from United Nations peace mission in Haiti

February 19, 2015 10:16 PM

As increasingly gruesome political tension once again begins to raise its head in Haiti, the Uruguayan government is considering pulling out those of the United Nations' military troops that are theirs. Announcement of this possibility was made by the Secretary of State for Uruguay, who stated that they would continue to watch the escalating situation and judge how to go from there. If a withdrawal is decided upon, they are considering the move to be a complete, swift removal of their troops stationed in Haiti on a peace mission. Still, while they assess the situation, the more conservative plan for a gradual withdrawal is still on the table.

Luis Porto, State Secretary of Foreign Affairs, said that their peace missions are always subject to such scrutiny and evaluation when a country's situation seems potentially precarious. He admitted his government was doubtful of the continued peace in light of the recently postponed elections and the incendiary effect that announcement has had on the population. In the event they find withdrawal necessary, he explained, it was well within the law of the country for the president to call their troops home from Haiti.

Since October of 2013, Uruguayan President Jose Mujica has been urging Haiti's Head of State, President Michel Martelly, to replenish the staff at the local and legislative levels. Since that year, President Mujica has been eyeing withdrawing his troops, following Brazil's lead, though the steps he began to take were gradual. They renewed the presence of their troops through to December 2014, but cut it down by 33 percent.

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Uruguay considering withdraw from United Nations peace mission in Haiti

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