In response to the escalating crisis in Haiti, the United States has deployed a specialized Marine anti-terrorism unit to the country. The unit's primary objectives are to safeguard the American embassy in Port-au-Prince and potentially facilitate the evacuation of personnel, according to the U.S. Southern Command.

The decision to send the Marine Fleet-Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) came after the Commander of U.S. Southern Command, Gen. Laura Richardson, informed the Senate Armed Services Committee that her forces were prepared for a noncombatant evacuation operation if necessary. Gen. Richardson expressed their readiness for any crisis and emphasized that all necessary measures had been taken to activate contingency plans.

The U.S. Southern Command clarified that the presence of the Marine unit was at the request of the State Department to enhance security capabilities at the embassy and provide relief to current Marines. The statement highlighted the routine nature of such deployments globally.

Although the American embassy remains open with limited operations focused on assisting U.S. citizens and supporting the Haitian-led efforts for a peaceful transition of power, tensions in Haiti persist. In recent months, armed gangs stormed the National Penitentiary, resulting in the escape of numerous inmates.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller acknowledged that the exact number of Americans currently in Haiti is unknown. However, he reiterated the long-standing travel advisory cautioning against travel to Haiti due to safety concerns. Miller stressed the importance of Americans who are still in Haiti to prioritize their safety and exit the country if feasible.

To bolster security at the U.S. Embassy, the U.S. military has already dispatched additional forces and airlifted non-essential personnel, including family members of diplomats, who had remained in Haiti after a previous evacuation order last year.

Meanwhile, Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation on Tuesday, agreeing to step down once a transitional presidential council is established and an interim prime minister is appointed. This decision came as pressure mounted from the international community.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need for international coordination in addressing the ongoing crisis in Haiti. Blinken highlighted the importance of a functioning democracy, as well as humanitarian and developmental assistance, to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people and rebuild the country's economy.

However, not all political parties in Haiti are in favor of the proposed transitional presidential council plan, with some expressing opposition to the initiative.

As the situation in Haiti remains volatile and gangs continue to pose a threat, the deployment of the Marine anti-terrorism unit signifies the United States' commitment to ensuring the safety of its personnel and maintaining a stable environment for diplomatic operations. Efforts to address the underlying causes of the crisis and support Haiti's path towards stability will require international collaboration and assistance.