World Leaders Oppose Trump’s “Shithole Countries” Remark

In a racist remark, Trump referred to Haiti and other African countries as “shithole countries.”

US President Donald Trump.

(Photo: IANS)

US President Donald Trump has been surrounded by controversies since the time he was appointed as the president of the United States. And this time as well the president has caught media’s attention for his “shithole countries” remark. These remarks came when Democratic Senator Dick Durbin and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham briefed the president on a newly-drafted immigration bill being touted by a bipartisan group of senators.

President Donald Trump on Thursday, 11 January, questioned why the United States would want to have immigrants from Haiti and African nations, referring to some as "shithole countries" – a remark that drew ire across the world.

A few hours later, in a reaction to the derogatory remark, John Feeley, the US ambassador to Panama resigned saying that he no longer felt able to serve the President.

“As a junior foreign service officer, I signed an oath to serve faithfully the president and his administration in an apolitical fashion, even when I might not agree with certain policies,” he wrote, in a letter obtained by Reuters. 

Reactions of the Countries Concerned

As reported by the CNN, Haiti's government said in a statement on Friday that it is "deeply shocked" and strongly condemns these "abhorrent and obnoxious remarks" by Trump, which "if proven would be entirely unacceptable because they reflect a totally erroneous and racist view of the Haitian community."

Paul Altidor, Haiti’s ambassador to Washington, said it was distressing that the attention was drawn to the president’s reported comments on Friday, the eighth anniversary of a massive earthquake believed to have killed 220,000 people on the island, which should be a day of remembrance.

“I spoke with President Jovenel Moise about the issue, and, of course, the president condemns such language and he is shocked,” Altidor said, according to Reuters.

Senegal’s president Macky Sall also condemned Trump’s move in an official tweet:

Reactions of the World Leaders

Mexico’s former president, Vicente Fox, tweeted that the US President’s mouth was the “foulest shithole in the world” and also stressed on America’s greatness lying in the diversity.

In a poll post tweeted by him asking if President Trump’s comment would make a difference to the election results if it were to be made during campaigning, the results showed 60 percent people saying that it would have been the same.

Former Haitian Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe tweeted “SHAME ON TRUMP! The world is witnessing a new low today with this #ShitholeNations remark! totally unacceptable!”

Even the UN Human Rights spokesperson Rupert Colville criticised Trump’s move and said Trump’s comments were “shocking and shameful” and goes against the “universal rights.”

Reactions of the US Representatives

As reported by The Digg.com, Senate Minority Whip Durbin (D-IL), who was in the meeting at which Trump made the racist comments, confirmed to CNN that Trump asked:

“Do we need more Haitians?” and repeatedly called African countries “shitholes.” He called these comments “hate-filled, vile and racist.”

CNN reported American diplomats and the US Embassy in San Salvador sought to assure Salvadorans of their respect for the country.

Jean Manes, US ambassador to El Salvador, tweeted in Spanish:

"I have had the privilege to travel around this beautiful country and meet thousands of Salvadorans. It is an honor to live and work here. We remain 100% committed."

The official account for the US Embassy in San Salvador also tweeted in Spanish: "The United States is proud to be a partner of El Salvador and we remain firm in our friendship that dates back various decades."