Carib Scope

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  • 2026 World Cup : Ambassador Henry Wooster wishes Haiti the greatest success !

    2026 World Cup : Ambassador Henry Wooster wishes Haiti the greatest success !

    It has been 52 years since Haiti’s men’s national football team last qualified for the FIFA World Cup, and the small Caribbean nation’s long-awaited return to the global tournament has already captured the imagination of millions of Haitian fans at home and across the diaspora. As the team – nicknamed the Grenadiers – prepared to kick off its first group stage match against Scotland on June 13, 2026, followed by upcoming fixtures against global powerhouses Brazil and Morocco, the top American diplomat in Port-au-Prince extended a message of warm congratulations and well wishes.

    Ambassador Henry Wooster, the United States Chargé d’Affaires in Haiti, released a public statement honoring the national team’s historic milestone, highlighting the far-reaching significance of the achievement beyond the pitch. “This is a moment of great pride for Haiti. After more than five decades, Haiti is back on one of the biggest stages in world football, inspiring millions of people both at home and abroad,” Wooster said in his address.

    The ambassador emphasized that the current squad, a new generation of Haitian football talent, earned their spot in the 2026 tournament through relentless effort, collective dedication, and unwavering belief in their shared goal. For a nation that has navigated ongoing political instability, economic hardship, and widespread social challenges in recent years, Wooster noted that the team’s success stands as a powerful symbol of Haitian perseverance, resilience, and collective national identity.

    “This achievement goes far beyond football. It represents a celebration of perseverance, resilience, and national pride. This team embodies the aspirations and dreams of an entire nation that continues to move forward with courage, despite the challenges it faces,” he added.

    On behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Wooster extended congratulations to every person who contributed to the team’s historic qualification: the players who trained and competed for years, the coaching staff that built a cohesive and competitive squad, the families that supported the athletes through every setback, and the passionate fans that never lost faith in their national team.

    Addressing the Grenadiers directly, the envoy urged the team to compete with confidence, carry their national flag with pride, and savor every moment of their once-in-a-lifetime World Cup journey. “We wish Haiti the greatest success. May you inspire young people across the country to dream big, work with determination, and never give up,” Wooster closed his statement with the rallying cry “Grenadye alaso!” – Go Grenadiers!

  • President geeft ambassadeurs duidelijke opdracht: Surinaams belang voorop

    President geeft ambassadeurs duidelijke opdracht: Surinaams belang voorop

    On Friday, a formal swearing-in ceremony for four newly appointed Surinamese ambassadors was held at the country’s presidential palace, where President Jennifer Simons administered the oath of office and issued clear guidance for the diplomats’ upcoming missions. The core mandate given to all four envoys, Simons emphasized, is to advance and protect Suriname’s national interests in all diplomatic activities, while working to deepen the nation’s international partnerships, unlock new economic opportunities, and strengthen Suriname’s global standing.

    The four appointees received distinct postings aligned with Suriname’s diplomatic strategy. Gilbêrt Antoine van Lierop will serve as Suriname’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco. Aashna Kanhai has been appointed ambassador to the Swiss Confederation, while also taking on the role of permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva. Stephanus Meye and Stevanus Noordzee will serve as non-resident ambassadors to Israel and Argentina, respectively.

    Addressing the new ambassadors, President Simons stressed that in an increasingly shifting global landscape, Suriname must continue investing in robust bilateral relations and proactive representation at multilateral international platforms. To advance the nation’s core priorities and long-term ambitions, she explained, the country requires skilled, committed diplomatic representatives who can effectively advocate for Suriname’s interests on the global stage.

    “Your first and foremost loyalty must be to Suriname; this is your starting point: protecting Suriname’s national interest,” President Simons told the envoys, according to official statements from the Suriname Communication Service. She added that Suriname’s diplomatic work should extend beyond traditional political and administrative cooperation, placing equal focus on economic diplomacy, attracting foreign investment, expanding bilateral trade, and elevating Suriname’s international profile.

    Simons also outlined targeted priorities for each ambassador’s specific region of responsibility. For the posting to Morocco, key areas for expanded cooperation include education, energy, agriculture, tourism, and trade. At the UN Geneva office, Kanhai will center her work on advancing multilateral cooperation, upholding international law, and advocating for a fair global trading system. For the bilateral relationship with Israel, collaboration will be deepened in agriculture, water management, technological innovation, and healthcare. For Argentina, Suriname will prioritize exploring new trade opportunities, building institutional capacity, and improving cross-border connectivity between the two nations.

    Speaking on behalf of all four newly sworn-in ambassadors, van Lierop framed his appointment not as a ceremonial honor, but as a profound responsibility to serve Suriname and represent the nation’s interests globally. He noted that Suriname holds unique strengths and untapped opportunities that deserve greater global recognition, highlighting that the nation’s power and potential extend far beyond its natural resources, rooted instead in its people and its future trajectory. “The strength and potential of Suriname lie not only in what we have, but above all in who we are and who we will become,” van Lierop said.

  • Derde helft WK 2026: Amerika walst met 4-1 over Paraguay

    Derde helft WK 2026: Amerika walst met 4-1 over Paraguay

    On June 13, co-hosting nation the United States delivered a commanding 4-1 win over Paraguay in a Copa America group stage fixture held at Los Angeles’ iconic stadium, capping off a one-sided display of attacking dominance from the opening whistle. From the first kick of the match, the US seized total control of possession and territorial advantage, pushing Paraguay’s entire squad deep into their own half of the pitch. A relentless wave of attacking pressure left Paraguay’s backline scrambling to contain wave after wave of American forward runs, and it did not take long for the deadlock to be broken.

    Just eight minutes into the contest, an own goal from Paraguay defender Damián Bobadilla opened the scoring for the hosts. A whipped cross from Weston McKennie bounced off Bobadilla and into the back of the net, putting the US ahead 1-0. The American side never looked back from that early breakthrough, doubling their advantage in the 29th minute. Folarin Balogun, starting as the US’ lead striker, converted a pinpoint cross from captain Christian Pulisic to stretch the lead to 2-0.

    On the stroke of halftime, Balogun struck once more to put the result virtually beyond doubt. A perfectly weighted long through ball from Malik Tillman caught Paraguay’s offside trap flat-footed, allowing Balogun to outpace the retreating defenders and slip a calm finish past Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gil, sending the US into the halftime break with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

    After the interval, Paraguay launched a full-scale fightback, throwing numbers forward in search of a way back into the match. Their efforts finally paid off in the 73rd minute, when forward Maurício found the back of the net to pull one goal back for the South American side, making the score 3-1. Just 60 seconds later, Tillman had a golden chance to restore the US’ three-goal advantage but wasted the opportunity with a poor, underpowered effort that failed to test the Paraguay defense.

    Paraguay continued to push forward in the final 15 minutes in search of a second consolation goal, but the US retained calm control of the tempo of the match, creating several more good scoring opportunities of their own. After late substitutions that saw both Tillman and Balogun withdrawn from the action, the US attack was unable to convert further chances until stoppage time. In the final minute of regulation, substitute Giovanni Reyna put the icing on the cake with a well-taken late strike to seal the final 4-1 scoreline, securing a statement opening win for the co-hosts.

  • Schenking US$ 3 miljoen Caribisch Ontwikkelingsbank bestemd voor ontwikkelingsprojecten

    Schenking US$ 3 miljoen Caribisch Ontwikkelingsbank bestemd voor ontwikkelingsprojecten

    The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has greenlit a $3 million grant for Suriname as part of the 11th cycle of its long-running anti-poverty initiative, the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF 11). The full non-lending funding package totals more than $3.42 million, with the Surinamese government contributing a matching $422,245 to support five targeted development projects focused on education, water access, community growth, and economic empowerment for Indigenous populations across the country. Details of the approved projects are outlined in Suriname’s Ministry of Finance and Planning 2026 budget documentation.

    The first of the five initiatives aims to strengthen ICT knowledge within Suriname’s vocational education sector. As regional and national labor markets face growing demand for workers with technical and digital skills, the project is designed to better align young job seekers’ competencies with employer needs. The second project will deliver comprehensive renovations to five public primary schools; while specific site locations have not yet been released, the upgrade is expected to dramatically improve learning conditions for thousands of students.

    One of the most unique projects approved is an initiative to expand stingless bee cultivation among Indigenous communities in southern Suriname. Regarded globally as a sustainable livelihood activity, the apiculture project not only creates new income streams for marginalized groups but also supports regional biodiversity conservation and natural ecosystem protection. Fourth, a new footpath connecting multiple schools in the Brokopondo district will be constructed, addressing a longstanding barrier to education access for remote inland villages that currently struggle with limited transportation connectivity. The final project will upgrade water infrastructure for the Wayana Indigenous community in Lensidede, with the core goal of expanding reliable access to safe drinking water for residents.

    Established in 1979, the BNTF is the CDB’s flagship grant program focused on poverty reduction across the Caribbean region. To date, the initiative has reached more than 3 million people across participating member states and supported thousands of local development projects. The 11th funding cycle, BNTF 11, runs from 2025 through the end of 2028, with a total regional allocation of approximately $53.6 million. Of that total, $46 million comes from the CDB’s Special Development Fund, with remaining contributions provided by participating national governments including Suriname.

    The program’s core priorities across all funding cycles align closely with the projects approved for Suriname: expanding access to education and vocational training, improving livelihoods and employment outcomes, upgrading water and sanitation access, building critical basic infrastructure, and supporting vulnerable populations including youth, women, people with disabilities, and Indigenous communities. Suriname has been a long-standing participant in the BNTF program, with the Ministry of Finance and Planning serving as the national implementing partner for all initiatives. Importantly, the funding is not general budget support, nor is it a loan; all resources are earmarked exclusively for on-the-ground projects that directly serve low-income and vulnerable communities across the country, in line with the BNTF’s core mission of reducing poverty and protecting marginalized groups.

  • AFC backs Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett for UN Secretary General

    AFC backs Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett for UN Secretary General

    Just three hours after Guyanese President Irfaan Ali formally put forward Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett as the country’s candidate for the next United Nations Secretary-General, the nation’s opposition Alliance For Change (AFC) has thrown its full weight behind the government’s decision.

    In an official statement released hours after the nomination announcement on 12 June 2026, the AFC praised Rodrigues-Birkett as an outstanding Guyanese diplomat whose decades of public service, proven professionalism, and longstanding dedication to multilateral cooperation make her uniquely suited for the UN’s top leadership role. “The AFC is proud to endorse her candidacy and wishes her every success in this historic endeavour,” the statement read.

    The opposition party has also called on the Guyanese government to move quickly to rally international backing for the nomination, urging immediate outreach to blocs and partners including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Commonwealth, the Organization of American States, the Non-Aligned Movement, and other global stakeholders to build broad cross-regional support.

    At 52, Rodrigues-Birkett brings a wealth of high-level diplomatic and international experience to the candidacy. She served as Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from 2008 to 2015, before taking on a senior leadership role as a Director at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. In 2022, she was appointed Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and she currently leads the country’s 2024-2025 term as a member of the UN Security Council. She also previously served as President of the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly, a role that put her consensus-building skills across diverse nations on full display.

    The AFC emphasized that Rodrigues-Birkett holds all the core attributes required to steer the UN through a period of unprecedented global strain. “Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett possesses the experience, diplomatic acumen, integrity, and global perspective required to lead the world’s foremost multilateral institution during a period of unprecedented international challenges,” the statement noted, adding that her decades of work across public service, diplomacy, and global affairs have already earned her widespread respect across the Caribbean, Latin America, and the broader international community.

    The party also highlighted Rodrigues-Birkett’s longstanding commitment to foundational global principles: international law, peaceful resolution of cross-border disputes, sustainable development, and the greater inclusion of small states in global decision-making. At a moment when the world faces overlapping crises – from ongoing armed conflicts and accelerating climate change to rising geopolitical division, growing humanitarian need, and mounting challenges to the rules-based international order – the AFC argues the UN needs principled, inclusive, forward-looking leadership, a standard Rodrigues-Birkett meets fully.

    Beyond her personal qualifications, the AFC noted that her nomination marks a key milestone for both Guyana and small developing nations globally. Her candidacy not only reflects Guyana’s expanding role in global diplomacy, it also creates a critical opportunity to center the perspectives and lived experiences of small developing states at the highest levels of global governance. The party expressed confidence that under her leadership, the United Nations would emerge better equipped to advance shared goals of peace, security, sustainable development, and cross-national cooperation.

    Rodrigues-Birkett becomes the fifth official candidate in the race to succeed outgoing Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term concludes on 31 December 2026. She joins a growing field of contenders that includes four previously announced nominees: Rafael Mariano Grossi of Argentina, nominated in November 2025; Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis of Costa Rica, nominated in March 2026; Macky Sall of Senegal, nominated by Burundi that same month; and Michelle Bachelet Jeria of Chile, whose nomination was backed by Brazil, Chile, and Mexico before Chile withdrew its sponsorship in late March.

  • Politic : Validation of the recovery and development plan (2025-2030) for the Great North

    Politic : Validation of the recovery and development plan (2025-2030) for the Great North

    On June 13, 2026, the Haitian government formally approved the Medium-Term Recovery and Development Plan for the country’s Great North region, a strategic roadmap spanning 2025 to 2030, during a national videoconference hosted under the patronage of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. The cross-sector gathering drew more than 120 stakeholders, including representatives from national public agencies, local governing bodies, the private business community, domestic civil society organizations, and international technical and financial partners (TFPs) backing the initiative.

    In his opening address to attendees, Marc-Kenley Mogene, Chief of Staff for Haiti’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, outlined the plan’s core mission: to drive accelerated economic transformation across the Great North by rolling out large-scale structuring investments, generating thousands of new formal jobs, and boosting the region’s overall competitiveness to attract additional outside investment. Mogene stressed that successful execution of the plan depends on three non-negotiable foundational conditions: mobilizing sufficient domestic and international financing to fund planned projects, strengthening collaborative alignment between all public and private sector stakeholders, and leveraging the central coordinating role of the Northern Corridor Development Council, which will oversee implementation tracking, cross-initiative alignment, and accountability for all activities outlined in the plan.

    Prime Minister Fils-Aimé framed the plan’s validation as a landmark milestone for Haiti’s broader national efforts to rebuild the economy and address long-standing territorial development imbalances across the country. He reiterated that the regional planning initiative grows out of a new national development vision centered on leveraging the unique realities, inherent strengths, and untapped potential of each of Haiti’s geographic regions. The prime minister added that the region-first framework, first piloted in the Great North, will be gradually rolled out to other parts of the country, with the Far South slated as the next region to receive a customized development plan, all in service of building more inclusive, sustainable national growth.

    Senior public sector officials presented the plan’s four mutually reinforcing strategic pillars that guide all priority actions. First, the plan prioritizes broad economic diversification to reduce the Great North’s dependence on a small set of vulnerable industries. Second, it targets transformative infrastructure upgrades and private sector revitalization to build a resilient productive base that supports long-term expansion. Third, it commits to large-scale investments in human capital and expanded access to essential public services to widen economic opportunity and advance social inclusion for marginalized communities. Fourth, it includes targeted reforms to strengthen regional governance, rebuild public trust in state institutions, and ensure long-term accountability for results.

    The plan was developed over months of collaborative work under the leadership of Haiti’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, in close coordination with national sectoral ministries, and with technical and financial support from key international partners including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank, the European Union, and the United Nations system operating in Haiti. It now serves as the official strategic framework guiding all public and private investments, policy reforms, and priority development actions focused on the Great North for the next six years.

    Following the formal validation, representatives of international technical and financial partners, local government leaders, and private sector executives all expressed broad support for the initiative, and reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to working alongside the Haitian government to turn the plan’s development vision into tangible results for residents of the Great North. With the approval process complete, the milestone marks the end of an extensive nationwide consultation process that incorporated input from all affected stakeholder groups, and clears the way for the formal implementation phase, where planned investments, governance reforms, and accountability mechanisms will be put in place to drive lasting, sustainable development across the Great North region.

  • PSU Leader Alleges Widespread Procurement Abuse Across Multiple Ministries

    PSU Leader Alleges Widespread Procurement Abuse Across Multiple Ministries

    A brewing public spending controversy in Belize has escalated far beyond an initial single case of suspicious payments, with the country’s top public service union leader now calling for a full, cross-government investigation into what he calls deeply rooted, systemic corruption in state procurement processes.

    The scandal first came to public attention when it was revealed that more than $1.7 million in public funds had been disbursed to Jenny Mira, sister of Minister of State Oscar Mira, in contracts awarded through the Ministry of National Defense. While ministry officials have defended the awards and insisted all contracted goods and services were delivered as agreed, public scrutiny has refused to die down, and has now expanded to question procurement practices across the entire government.

    Speaking in an on-the-record interview with local outlet News Five, Public Service Union (PSU) President Dean Flowers argued that the Mira family contracts are just one visible thread of a much broader pattern of abuse. He pointed to a wide web of ongoing business interests tied to the minister and his extended relatives, with family members holding contracts across multiple sectors: from his sister’s vegetable supply contracts, to brothers’ holdings in air conditioning services and construction, to in-law-led firms winning roadwork projects. Flowers questioned how the minister’s family was able to finance the construction of a private gated community, raising implicit questions about the source of their wealth from public sector contracts.

    Francis Usher, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of National Defense, pushed back against the allegations, defending the Mira family’s long history as government suppliers. He confirmed the family has provided produce to the Belize Defence Force and Coast Guard dating back to the early 2010s, years before the current administration took office, and emphasized they have been consistent, reliable partners over that time. Usher also rejected claims of payment fraud, stating, “There is nothing that is being paid for that is not being provided,” pushing back against long-running unconfirmed complaints from service members about substandard or insufficient rations.

    On the widely noted practice of splitting large invoices into amounts just under the $10,000 threshold that triggers mandatory additional oversight from the Treasury Department and Ministry of Finance, Usher denied that government officials ever instruct suppliers to split contracts to avoid scrutiny. He suggested suppliers independently adopted the practice because it speeds up payment processing, as lower-value contracts do not require multi-layered approval from additional government bodies.

    Flowers, however, remains unconvinced by the ministry’s denials. Drawing on his decades of experience working in Belize’s public service, he argued that official records frequently do not align with on-the-ground realities, a pattern well-known to the country’s Auditor General. He pointed to a previous confirmed scandal at the Ministry of Transport, where the government paid for high-end air conditioning units but received cheaper, lower-quality models instead, as an example of the kind of fraud that systemic weak oversight enables.

    The PSU president also pushed back against Usher’s claim that all contracted goods have been delivered, questioning how the CEO could personally verify every delivery made across thousands of contracts. He called on Belize’s top independent oversight officials—including Maria Rodriguez, Teresita Miranda, and Maria Arthurs—to launch a full investigation and prove their commitment to protecting public funds and Belizean taxpayers.

    Flowers also expanded the scope of accountability beyond elected ministers, arguing that long-tenured public finance officers are often the enablers of these corrupt practices. He claimed that new politicians and CEOs entering government are frequently introduced to end-runs around oversight rules by career public officers, who then allow the practice to be exploited to redirect public funds into private hands. To advance the investigation, the PSU has already filed formal Freedom of Information requests to obtain full procurement records from the Accountant General, Auditor General, and Contractor General. Flowers stressed that the probe must examine not just political leaders, but the public officials who processed the questionable transactions.

    The unfolding scandal has sparked growing public demand for transparency and accountability around the management of public funds in Belize, with the outcome of the requested investigation expected to set a major precedent for government oversight reform going forward.

  • Tributes Pour In for Dr. Krishna Following Sudden Death

    Tributes Pour In for Dr. Krishna Following Sudden Death

    The Medical Association of Antigua and Barbuda Inc. (MAAB) has confirmed the unexpected death of one of the nation’s most beloved long-serving surgical practitioners, Dr. Subbiah Radhakrishnan—known widely to colleagues, patients, and friends as Dr. Krishnan. The announcement was made in an official statement released by MAAB President Dr. Alafea Stevens, shared with the local medical community this week.

    At the time of his passing, Dr. Krishnan remained an actively engaged and deeply committed member of Antigua and Barbuda’s healthcare ecosystem. He continued to deliver critical care to patients at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, while also maintaining an active private practice that served residents across the islands.

    Widely celebrated for his magnetic personality and unparalleled expertise in the operating room, Dr. Krishnan leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond his thousands of successful procedures. Colleagues remember his surgical skill as a benchmark for excellence, one that motivated and shaped generations of local medical workers. What truly set him apart, however, was his dedication to lifting up other professionals: he served as a generous mentor and trusted confidant to countless new and established clinicians across the country, always willing to share his knowledge and experience to help others grow.

    On behalf of MAAB’s Executive leadership and its full general membership, President Stevens extended the association’s sincerest condolences to Dr. Krishnan’s family, including his wife Dr. Saravana Sabharmathi and their children. “Our collective thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones, his patients, his professional peers, and the entire medical fraternity as we grieve this extraordinary loss,” the statement read. “May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

  • SIF Under Fire: PSU President Claims Rigged Tendering System

    SIF Under Fire: PSU President Claims Rigged Tendering System

    A major public accountability controversy has erupted in Belize, with the head of the nation’s largest public sector labor organization leveling serious allegations of systemic corruption against the country’s high-profile Social Investment Fund (SIF). In a blistering public address released June 12, 2026, Public Service Union (PSU) President Dean Flowers has broken with longstanding unofficial norms of restrained public criticism, directly calling out SIF leadership and the Ministry of Finance for running a rigged competitive bidding process that puts political favoritism ahead of value for taxpayer money.

    Flowers’ allegations go far beyond isolated claims of mismanagement: he asserts that the entire tendering framework is compromised, arguing that publicly advertised competitive bidding is little more than a facade to award contracts to well-connected bidders rather than the most qualified or cost-effective applicants. To back up his claims, he specifically called out inflated pricing for construction materials, noting that SIF is allegedly paying between $70 and $100 per sack of cement – rates far above standard market pricing that would never be accepted in a truly competitive process.

    The PSU president has issued an ultimatum to leadership at both SIF and the Ministry of Finance: hold a public press conference, release five full years of unredacted procurement and tender records, and allow independent public scrutiny of the documents to prove the bidding process is fair. Flowers argues that full transparency is the only possible path to clearing up growing public suspicion and repairing eroded trust in how public funds are managed. He stressed that the controversy is not about a single flawed contract, but about the integrity of the entire public spending system itself, directly calling out Belizean citizens who are aware of alleged misconduct but have failed to speak out, urging them to join demands for accountability.

    In an immediate response to the allegations, senior SIF officials issued a sharp rebuttal pushing back against every claim made by Flowers. The agency denied all accusations of favoritism, improper influence, and corrupt bidding, insisting that all procurement processes – particularly for high-value contracts – follow strict, open competitive bidding rules. SIF emphasized that all bidders undergo rigorous vetting across technical, financial, and legal eligibility standards before any contract is awarded. The agency also warned that Flowers’ unsubstantiated allegations carry serious risks, noting they could erode public trust in the institution and damage confidence among SIF’s domestic and international funding and implementation partners. SIF defended its longstanding reputation for sound management, asserting that its existing procurement systems are robust and fully compliant with national public spending rules.

  • 2026 World Cup : Haitian Prime Minister visited the Grenadiers the day before their opening match

    2026 World Cup : Haitian Prime Minister visited the Grenadiers the day before their opening match

    On the eve of one of the most defining matches in Haitian sports history, the country’s top political leadership traveled to Massachusetts to rally the national men’s football team, the Grenadiers, ahead of their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup fixture against Scotland’s Tartan Team. Kickoff for the match, held at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, just outside Boston, is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. local Haiti and U.S. Eastern time on June 13, 2026.

    Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé led the official delegation, which included Foreign Minister Raina Forbin and Minister for Haitians Living Abroad Kathia Verdier, for the morale-building visit with players and technical staff on Friday, June 12. The encounter was steeped in raw emotion and collective national pride, as Fils-Aimé delivered a unifying message of solidarity from both the Haitian government and the entire Haitian community — including millions of citizens and diaspora members around the globe.

    The Prime Minister framed the team’s World Cup qualification as a watershed historic moment for the Caribbean nation, noting that the run to the tournament has already united Haitians across divides behind a shared national goal. He positioned the Grenadiers as far more than just a group of athletes, calling them a powerful symbol of hope, unity, and what the country can achieve against steep odds.

    “You are much more than a football team. You are the face of Haitian youth who refuse to give up, who dare to dream, and who prove that, despite the difficulties, Haiti is capable of rising to the ranks of the world’s best nations,” Fils-Aimé told the squad. “You are hope, you are opportunity. You are an example; we are watching you and counting on you.”

    Speaking after the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Forbin extended her own congratulations to the team for achieving the unprecedented feat of qualifying for the World Cup. She highlighted the behind-the-scenes diplomatic and consular work that cleared logistical hurdles to enable Haiti’s participation in the global tournament, adding that the squad serves as a powerful showcase of the exceptional talent nurtured among Haitian youth.

    For her part, Minister Verdier praised the team’s achievement as one that transcends the boundaries of sport. She noted that the Grenadiers’ journey has already become a source of inspiration for current and future generations of Haitians both at home and abroad.

    In a gesture of gratitude for the government’s support, the entire squad presented Fils-Aimé with an official team jersey bearing the signatures of every player. The Haitian government used the occasion to reaffirm its full confidence in the national team, and issued a call to all Haitians, regardless of their location, to rally behind the Grenadiers during this historic milestone.

    Closing his remarks, the Prime Minister emphasized the unifying power of the team’s moment on the world stage: “Together, as our Grenadiers are demonstrating today on the world stage, we can accomplish great things when we move forward united.”