Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Relations (MRE) received the nomination of the Brazilian Luiz Carlos Costa as Alternate Special Representative for the United Nations in Haiti. He will replace the Guatemalan ambassador Edmundo Mulet-Lesieur.
A career worker for the United Nations (UN) who has been on peace missions in Liberia and Kosovo, Luiz Carlos Costa was appointed directly by the UN secretary general, Kofi Annan.
He claimed that the Brazilian’s "experience" makes him fit for commanding the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
Kofi Annan also pointed to the fact that Brazil remained committed to contributing to the safety, institutional strengthening and socio-economic reconstruction of the Caribbean country. Two and a half years ago, when the peace force was established, Haiti found itself in an extremely unstable situation.
Ever since, Brazil has remained a constant presence in the country, commanding the international force, driven by the sense of regional solidarity and by cultural and ethnic affinities.
Solidarity has also justified the sending of troops from Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Ecuador, Paraguay, Guatemala and El Salvador, among other countries.