In response to the escalating violence and unrest in Haiti, the Pentagon is prepared to execute a plan to evacuate Americans from the country, according to a statement from U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander Gen. Laura Richardson. Speaking at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday, Gen. Richardson confirmed that the military is ready to perform a noncombatant evacuation of U.S. citizens in Haiti if necessary.

During the hearing, Senator Mark Kelly expressed concern about the safety of Americans in Haiti, questioning whether a noncombatant evacuation order (NEO) had been initiated. Gen. Richardson reassured him that SOUTHCOM has already successfully airlifted embassy staff out of the country. However, she acknowledged that several Americans remain in Haiti and may be seeking assistance to leave the country.

"As part of the wide range of contingency plans that US SOUTHCOM has, we are ready for a NEO activation if required and have other plans ready to go," Gen. Richardson stated. "So we're ready at any time for any type of crisis."

When pressed for further information on additional planning, Gen. Richardson explained that increased security measures at the embassy and expanded capabilities would serve as the platform for any potential expansion of the mission. She emphasized that SOUTHCOM has taken all necessary measures to ensure the successful execution of the evacuation plans.

Earlier this week, at the request of the State Department, SOUTHCOM deployed a U.S. Marine Fleet-Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) to the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. This deployment aims to maintain strong security capabilities while also providing relief to the current Marines stationed there.

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince remains open, with limited operations focused on assisting U.S. citizens and supporting Haitian-led efforts to secure a peaceful transition of power. It is important to note that the U.S. military previously sent forces to Haiti over the weekend to reinforce security and conducted airlifts of non-essential personnel, including family members of diplomats.

However, according to Department of State spokesperson Matt Miller, there are currently no plans underway to rescue U.S. citizens stranded in Haiti amid the government collapse. Miller cited existing state travel warnings as a reason for the delay in taking action.

As the situation in Haiti continues to evolve, the Pentagon and U.S. Southern Command remain prepared to provide support and assistance as needed. The safety and well-being of American citizens in Haiti remain a top priority, and contingency plans are being continually updated to respond effectively to any crisis that may arise.