joebiden

As Haiti worsens, Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris will press Prime Minister Philip Davis and Caricom to commit to a multinational force to assist the troubled Caribbean nation regain a level of stability.

The big picture

Vice President Harris is the highest ranking US official to visit the Bahamas since Independence.

Daily life in Haiti is marked by widespread violence, with deep political, social and economic stability and its problems seems unsolvable as Haitians seek refuge in other Caribbean countries, the United States and Canada.

It is hoped the multinational force could support the country’s national police in the capital Port-au-Prince where violence is rife and gangs have taken over airports and ports of entry.

Why it matters

The Biden’s adminstration has attempted discussions for a multinational force to be deployed to Haiti since October, opting for Canada to lead the way, put plans faltered because neither reached an agreement on who whould take the lead.

“The worsening security situation requires an international response, which is why the United States strongly support the deployment of a multinational force to Haiti, which the Vice President will make clear to the Caribbean leader,” officials told Miami Herald on Harris’ visit.

“In Nassau, the vice president will reiterate our administration’s support for a multinational force in Haiti,” a senior administration official said. “We’ve made it clear that we believe the security and humanitarian situation in Haiti is worsening and the situation on the ground will not improve without armed security assistance from international partners.

“Any decisions about such a security force would be done in consultation with the Haitian government as well as the UN. Those discussions are still ongoing,” the official added. “We will remain in coordination with partners on next steps to address urgent security needs.”

US Officials said she will announce $50 million in humanitarian aid to Haiti.

As President Vladimir Putin continues to wage war on Ukraine, causing one of the world’s greatest humanitarian crises, President Joe Biden announced a ban on Russian fuel, hoping to cripple the “main artery of Russia’s economy.”

“We’re banning all imports of Russian oil and gas energy. That means Russian oil will no longer be accepted in U.S. ports, and the American people will deal another powerful blow to Putin’s war machine.”

While the US used an abrupt approach because its dependency on Russian fuel is less, the European Union is planning to cut its reliance on Russian gas by two-thirds this year and end it “well before 2030”.

What it means

The ban on Russian oil will automatically further spike gas prices, where consumers are already seeing a surge at the gas pump.

At the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Paul Hepburn, a proprietor of three Esso Gas Stations warned that Bahamians can expect to pay $6 a gallon, while Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell estimated $8 a gallon.

The big story

Ten percent of the world’s fuel comes from Russia, so if dealers source fuel from other places, the demand will cause the price of fuel to increase.

“We think that a complete ban on Russian energy imports would cause the prices of Brent crude oil and European natural gas to surge to $160 [per barrel],” economists at Capital Economics said in a research report.

Russia is the EU’s top gas supplier.

What Biden says

The president said he made the decision in consultation with European allies but they may not be in a position to join the ban. He said the United States is working closely with them to develop a “long-term strategy” to reduce their dependence on Russian energy.

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis and Opposition Leader Philip Davis quickly extended congratulations to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris after news media announced Biden as President-elect after he passed the 270-mark required to win the election. But is it premature?

The big picture

It is not clear who is the winner of the US presidential election as counting continues, recounting is required due to close margins and allegations of fraud and election irregularities and tabulation will be presented to the Supreme Court to decide.

What has Hubert Minnis said?

In a press statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, Hubert Minnis sends a letter to Biden saying, “The Bahamas and the United States have enjoyed long-standing, warm, friendly and historic relations.”

He continues, “I extend my best wishes to you for a successful administration and I am very confident that the warm and friendly relations existing between our two governments and peoples will not only continue but will be further strengthened.”

What has Philip Davis said?

PLP Leader was the first to congratulate Joe Biden publicly saying, “In voting in such record numbers, we applaud the American people for reaffirming the democratic ideals of Thomas Jefferson and recognize that the will of the people has been freely and fully expressed.”

Davis continues, “The PLP looks forward to working with the new administration on a number of national and regional issues of mutual concern and interest.”

What has GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said?

The Republican Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said not yet. She said the media does not decide the winner of the election, adding that voters are the deciders of the outcome of the election. McDaniels argued, “In multiple states, the margins are razor-thin with counting ongoing, several of which are headed for recounts.”

The Associated Press and CNN have announced Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States as he surpassed the 270 electoral votes, the number required to win.

Why it matters

The 78-year-old will be the oldest president of the United States, but President Donald Trump says the election is far from over as he challenges the election in court amid allegations of election fraud.

What Joe Biden says

• Biden in a press statement on Saturday stated, “I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris.”
• He has campaigned as a unifier as the USA appears divided over race and the handling of the coronavirus. He said, “The voters made it clear, they want the country to come together and not pull apart.”

What Donald Trump says

• Trump indicated that he will not concede as he issued a statement saying, “The simple fact is this election is far from over.”

Key Points

• Kamala Harris as vice president is expected to be the first black woman in that role.
• Donald Trump was at a golf club when the news broke that Biden was the projected winner.
• Biden is expected to give a victory speech tonight at 8 pm, as president-elect.
• Biden is coming in as president during COVID-19 and economic challenges.
• Election results are recorded as close as Trump challenges votes in Wisconsin, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
• Trump is arguing discrepancies in vote counts, access to votes and fraud.

Featured image: thenation.com