Chile confirms dispatch of 590 soldiers to Haiti

Chilean Foreign Minister Soledad Alvear and Defense Minister Michelle Bachelet said Tuesday their country will contribute with another 590 soldiers to the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in Haiti.

This will be the second contingent that will replace the first contingent of 200 soldiers deployed last March and whose mission is due to end on June 1 after former President Jean Bertrand Aristide was ousted. But this time, forces of other Latin American nations will participate under Brazilian command.

Both ministers presented to the Senate the plan designed by President Ricardo Lagos. They added that, this time, the country will not have to afford extra expenses, as it happened with the first peace mission.

It was also said that Chilean Defense Minister Bachelet will travel to Haiti in the next few days to evaluate the work of the Chilean forces.

Source: Xinhua