DeSantis celebrates over 700 Americans successfully rescued from Haiti

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced 722 Americans have been successfully rescued from Haiti, following the island nation’s fall into turmoil and conflict.

“The State of Florida doesn’t shy away from doing the right thing and helping Americans in need,” DeSantis said. “I’m proud to announce that despite the lack of cooperation from the federal government, more than 700 Americans have been successfully evacuated from Haiti to Florida.”

Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie thanked the response team and the governor for their swift work to bring U.S. citizens home.

“Evacuating our residents has been challenging, and I am incredibly proud of the hard work our State Emergency Response Team, private and nonprofit partners have done to bring Americans home and accommodate their needs upon returning to Florida,” he said.

“We will always stand ready to support our residents and I thank Governor DeSantis for giving us the opportunity to do so in any crisis,” he added.

Those who are rescued are not charged for their return flights into the U.S. and are provided with free resources and aid.

The state has worked to return hundreds of people from both Haiti and Israel as both regions face unpredictable and unsafe conditions.

“When Floridians and other Americans are in need, the State of Florida acts,” DeSantis said during a press conference when the first flight of evacuees left Haiti.

Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., also personally helped rescue Americans from both nations multiple times.