Construction crews hastily erected a new refugee camp at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as refugees surged out of Haiti and U.S. diplomats sought a solution to the problem.
The increase in the exodus from Haiti this week comes in the wake of more government-sponsored violence in the country last weekend.Haitian police attacked a political rally Saturday, killing a bodyguard for Rene Theodore, who had been selected to become prime minister in efforts to restore the democratic government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
In protest of that incident, the United States recalled Ambassador Alvin Adams from Port-au-Prince and began considering other options.
Washington, in cooperation with the Organization of American States, has embargoed trade with Haiti since Oct. 30.
The New York Times reported in its Wednesday editions that the United States may be considering military force to restore a democratic government to Haiti.
"We will recall the ambassador this time," an unidentified U.S. diplomat told The Times. "The next outrage will bring a stronger reaction yet, and ultimately, the wrath of God will fall."