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A groundbreaking proposal for regional stewardship has emerged as a potential solution to Haiti’s protracted governance crisis. Andrew P. Anderson, an international facilities and construction professional who recently visited Haiti, argues that the country’s fundamental problem isn’t its people or resources, but generations of failed governance systems.

During his professional assessment, Anderson observed the stark contrast between Haiti’s evident challenges—mounting uncollected garbage, informal vending in unsafe conditions, and neglected public spaces—and the remarkable resilience, creativity, and dignity of its citizens. Despite these conditions, Haitians continue trading, educating their children, building, and innovating daily, demonstrating what Anderson describes as ‘unmistakable human potential’ in a fertile land.

The proposed solution involves a temporary Caricom-led governance compact, technically and financially supported by the United Nations and other partners. This model would not involve foreign territorial control but rather functional co-stewardship of specific state functions alongside Haitian counterparts for a fixed period, potentially ten years, with clear benchmarks and defined exit strategies.

Key components of this regional approach include:

National security and policing support from Jamaica, focusing on professional standards and community policing
Justice and corrections strengthening through Trinidad and Tobago’s expertise
Public administration and revenue management guided by Barbados
Health services stabilization through regional partnerships
Education and skills training supported by Barbados and OECS states
Public works and municipal services managed with assistance from Guyana, Suriname, and Dominica
Tourism development facilitated by Jamaica, St. Lucia, and the Bahamas
Agriculture and food security supported by multiple Caribbean nations
Structured labor mobility programs allowing Haitian workers to contribute legally to labor-short Caribbean economies

Anderson emphasizes that this approach begins with rebuilding trust through visible public order improvements—waste management, drainage, street lighting, and regulated vending—which serve as signals of state competence. When order connects to jobs, income, and dignity, behavior changes rapidly, creating a foundation for sustainable development.

This regional compact model preserves Haitian sovereignty, avoids domination by any single external power, shares responsibility across the Caribbean, and provides Haiti with what it has long been denied: a stable, predictable framework within which its people can thrive.

In a significant parliamentary development, Independent Senator Michael Simon de la Bastide has called upon the Trinidad and Tobago government to employ persuasive dialogue rather than derogatory language to secure support for the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) Bill, 2026. The proposed legislation, which passed the House of Representatives on January 16, is currently under detailed scrutiny in the Senate, where deliberations began on January 20 and are set to continue.

The bill grants Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, in her capacity as National Security Council chair, the authority—following consultations with police and military leadership—to designate specific high-crime regions as Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) for periods up to 180 days. The bill requires a three-fifths majority in the Senate, translating to 19 votes. With the government holding 15 seats, the opposition 6, and independent senators 9, the support of the latter group is crucial.

Senator de la Bastide, along with fellow Independent Senator Anthony Vieira, expressed a conditional willingness to back the bill but voiced strong objections to the hostile rhetoric directed at non-aligned senators. De la Bastide emphasized that independent senators are open to constructive pre-debate discussions, potential amendments, and compromises. He criticized the government’s approach of hurling insults and making partisan assumptions, stating that such tactics could deter qualified individuals from accepting future appointments as independent senators.

Both senators acknowledged the necessity of innovative measures to address Trinidad and Tobago’s persistent crime challenges. However, they highlighted concerns about the potential stigmatization of communities labeled as ZOSOs, the risk of normalizing military involvement in civilian policing, and the importance of ensuring that expanded security powers align with constitutional principles and human rights protections.

Vieira underscored that independent senators are constitutionally mandated to ask difficult questions, particularly when legislation involves expanding state authority. He rejected characterizations of their critiques as ‘shallow’ or ‘vapid,’ framing them instead as essential exercises of independent judgment in a healthy democracy.

The ongoing debate reflects deeper tensions regarding governance, legislative process, and the balance between security needs and democratic safeguards in Trinidad and Tobago.