Above: US Senator Patrick Leahy

By the Caribbean Journal staff

A United States Senatorial delegation led by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) visited Haiti this week for talks with Haitian officials.

Leahy was joined by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island).

The talks, which included meetings with Haiti President Michel Martelly and Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, focused on cooperation between the US and Haiti in economic development, the fight against drug trafficking and security.

Above: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, US Ambassador Pamela White, Sen. Sherrod Brown, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, President Michel Martelly, Sen. Patrick Leahy and Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe

In Port-au-Prince, the Washington lawmakers visited the facilities of Sean Penn’s J/P Haitian Relief Organization, including a displaced persons camp, a medical clinic and a project to build new homes.

“I have visited Haiti on numerous occasions — several more times since the earthquake,” Leahy said. “I saw the devastation and I wondered if the people could recover. At this moment, I think that you have really made great progress, and we want to see more — so I am delighted.”

Leahy is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.