HAITI, Jan 20, 2010. - Hunger and illnesses have gripped Haiti in the wake of a devastating 7.3-degree quake that hit the country last Tuesday, but the situation has been compounded by occupation threats by US troops. Second Quake Hit Haiti In the devastated streets of Port au Prince, hundreds of Haitians described as lack of sovereignty the impressive landing of several US choppers in the Presidential Palace. "It is an occupation. The palace is the country, it represents our power, our face, our pride," denounced some witnesses. At least four helicopters carried nearly one hundred paratroopers of the 82nd Airborn Division to the facility before hundreds of astonished Haitian, who lost their homes in the quake and have settled in the gardens surrounding the presidential house, which was also destroyed. A week into the seism that destroyed 60 percent of the capital's infrastructure, the troops sent by Washington left the airport and made incursions for the first time in downtown Port au Prince. Previously, they only kept control of the airport, where they run the arrival of humanitarian aid with selectivity. "I haven't seen them distributing food in the center of the city, where the people need urgently water, food and medicine. This seems more like an occupation," said Haitian student Wilson Guillaume, 25. Some press media reported that the arrival of US troops to the government palace with plenty of water and food was intended to install a small support base there. However, nothing was delivered and the troops were deployed around the general hospital, which is packed with wounded people. As they passed by, several victims shouted "Go Home," "Do Not Occupy our Country." Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela said that Haiti needs humanitarian aid and not US geopolitical, geostrategic interests. "What is the Caribbean country needs for its reconstruction is economic, medical and food support. I hope the United States is focusing its aid in this way," said Bolivian Vice President Alvaro Garcia. The White House sent 7,500 troops, who will join another 1,800 already deployed in the country where deaths have been estimated at 100,000 to 200,000 and more than three million people have been reported as victims. (Cubaminrex - Prensa Latina) |