Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicosIslands, March 4, 2024 – As Haitian police strain under what can only be described as anarchy from gang members after an attack on its prisons and the subsequent release of 4,000 prisoners, the Turks and Caicos’ security personnel are preparing a plan to protect the country’s borders which lie 190 miles from the besieged nation. 

On Sunday morning Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration and Border Services and his team were already at work. 

“We’re aware and we have convened a meeting this morning to come up with some plans,” said Musgrove. 

Those plans were in response to the Saturday night attack on the French-speaking country’s largest prison in Port-au-Prince which saw police officers battling against a wave of criminals determined to free gang members from the facility. 

TCI Officials are preparing to face whatever that means for their borders which have been victim time and again to the boats carrying hundreds of illegal migrants at a time. 

“My top people are in meetings right now. Once that plan from the NSS and NSC is compiled they will give it to me and my Permanent Secretary and we’ll go over it and then turn it over to the Premier and Acting Governor.”

That plan was to be finished by 1 pm Sunday for review. 

The release of those 4000 criminals could have ripple effects for the entirety of the Caribbean, strengthening the criminal element in Haiti and further weakening police control. The increase in criminal activity of late  has exacerbated the already terrible migrant crisis, enriching people smugglers who also bring guns and drugs in their treks across the Caribbean. 

The dangerous breakout happens as Kenya, the US and Caribbean languish, waiting for a leader for the multinational force to push into Haiti.

That force was created and approved to stand against the possibility of issues like this very outbreak.

In August 2023 Barbara Feinstein, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti, had spoken in a press conference explaining how the multi-national force would operate, once it gets into Haiti. While a report was needed to draw up specific plans the force was to:

“Jumpstart the process of improving security in Haiti by sending thousands of additional personnel to secure critical infrastructure sites and thereby allow the Haitian national police to increase their focus on battling gangs.”

With this support securing key areas the Haitian National Police should have been able to push into gang infested areas and restore order, at least that was the plan. 

Back then the gangs were only taking control of oil and other important infrastructure. Internal judicial ruling had blocked the Kenyan government which had committed to lead the strike from deployment in late 2023. 

In defiance of the ruling the government says it is planning to send forces anyway but they have not yet materialized. The outbreak happened as Ariel Henry, Haitian Prime Minister was in Kenya trying to secure those very forces. 

With the gates literally thrown open  the TCI is shoring up its own defenses. 

“We have beefed up our border presence and we have our radar people on alert. Also we’ll have an air wing spot checking,” Musgrove reassured. 

Residents are already scared of the possible repercussions to the Turks and Caicos, some say it’s time for the TCI government to demand more from the British to make sure residents are protected.