The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard's use of seven surface drones off Haiti's northern coast aims to deter illegal human smuggling, a practice causing numerous deaths yearly. According to Rear Adm. James Aiken, these drones, part of a broader initiative under the U.S. 4th Fleet, are pivotal in leveraging artificial intelligence and robotics for monitoring illicit activities and enhancing naval operations, notably against non-uniformed threats from nations like China and Russia.

Surface Drone Relief Efforts

In March, the U.S. military was reportedly expected to deploy Navy vessels to address potential mass migration from Haiti to Florida, spurred by escalating gang violence and political instability in Haiti. This plan was discussed during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, where officials outlined the dire situation following major jailbreaks and the gangs' demand for Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation, leading to his announced departure. Florida Representative Matt Gaetz expressed concerns over the impact of Haitian migration on Florida communities, highlighting the urgency of the response to the crisis.

Tech Providers

Gecko Robotics will provide robotic assessments for a U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship and an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, enhancing maintenance efficiency with its wall-climbing robots and AI software. This expansion follows the Navy's approval of Gecko's Rapid Ultrasonic Gridding process, aiming to reduce maintenance time and dry dock periods for the vessels.

Civil Unrest

Gangs control up to 90% of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, leveraging hunger as a weapon by disrupting food supplies from rural farming areas, threatening the nation's potential for food self-sufficiency. Nearly half of Haiti's 11 million population requires food assistance, with 1.64 million facing emergency food insecurity and children experiencing a 19% increase in severe acute malnutrition in 2024. However, a positive development saw 19,000 people in a vulnerable Port-au-Prince neighborhood removed from the starvation conditions list in February 2023, according to a UN-backed analysis.

US Border Tensions

Florida, the U.S. state closest to Haiti, has initiated additional patrols by state agencies, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, due to concerns about a potential migrant exodus amidst Haiti's gang violence. The dangerous sea journey across the Florida Straits is emphasized by officials, highlighting the perils migrants face. These patrols aim to enforce boating and wildlife laws and ensure public safety, which now also involves intercepting migrants, as demonstrated by a recent incident involving two smugglers and 25 Haitian migrants. Haitian-American activists criticize the increase in patrols, pointing to the dire situation in Haiti that drives people to flee.

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