Haiti has always been, unfortunately, targeted by foreign entities, the 19th century embargo by the US and France completely destroyed there economy and they have never been able to recover, I wouldn't doubt the US would still be using the country for there own interests, whatever they may be.
As to the above article it may or may not be true, but where I don't believe it, is where it says Haiti has the lowest crime rates in the Caribbean. I say this because a few of years ago I met a Colonel from the Uruguayan peace keeping force and he said they couldn't go out into the city without taking guards because it was very easy to be targeted by criminals, so being that the rest of the Caribbean islands are actually tourist hot spots I think they would be safer than Haiti.