Carib Scope

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  • Eleven provinces under Yellow Alert due to rain and flood risk

    Eleven provinces under Yellow Alert due to rain and flood risk

    On Wednesday, the Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) announced a widespread expansion of national weather warnings, ramping up precautionary measures as an unstable atmospheric pattern continues to bring hazardous conditions across the Caribbean nation. Under the updated alert framework, 11 provinces have been placed under yellow alert – the second-highest level of warning – while 12 additional provinces and the National District remain under lower-level green alert.

    The 11 provinces now under elevated yellow warning status are María Trinidad Sánchez, Santiago, Duarte, Puerto Plata, Hermanas Mirabal, Hato Mayor, Monseñor Nouel, La Vega, Sánchez Ramírez, Espaillat, and Samaná. Areas retaining green alert include the major population centers of Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Macorís, La Altagracia, San Cristóbal, La Romana, Monte Plata, and the National District, the country’s capital administrative zone.

    Meteorological officials from the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) confirmed that a persistent low-pressure trough system hovering over the region will continue to drive unstable weather through the afternoon. Forecasters say the system is spurring rapid cloud development that will bring heavy downpours, severe thunderstorms, and even a chance of small hail across much of the affected areas.

    The risk of extreme weather events is amplified by days of prior precipitation that have left soil across the country completely saturated. Emergency authorities have issued urgent warnings about the growing likelihood of river overflow, sudden flash floods, and widespread urban flooding in low-lying and high-risk communities.

    As of Wednesday, the impact of the persistent rain has already disrupted critical public services. The National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage (Inapa) confirmed that 12 regional aqueducts have been taken out of service by flood damage or operational disruptions, cutting off water access to more than 205,000 residential and commercial users across the affected regions.

    In a public advisory, the COE has urged all residents in at-risk zones to strictly follow official safety guidance. The agency specifically warned communities against attempting to cross swollen rivers or flooded streams, and reminded people living in flood-prone areas to remain ready to evacuate if conditions worsen.

  • Leisure : Did you know ? #19

    Leisure : Did you know ? #19

    In a new installment of its popular “Did You Know?” educational series, HaitiLibre has shared a concise, fact-filled breakdown of the Cold War as part of its expanding free online quiz platform, which is designed to engage knowledge-seekers of all skill levels.

    The Cold War, the defining geopolitical confrontation that structured global affairs across the second half of the 20th century, pitted two competing ideological and military blocs against one another. On one side stood the Western Bloc, led by the United States, which advanced a global order built on capitalism and liberal democracy. Opposing it was the Eastern Bloc, headed by the Soviet Union (USSR), which promoted communist governance and economic systems across its sphere of influence.

    The conflict earned its “cold” label not from a total lack of violence, but from the absence of direct, large-scale military combat between the two nuclear-armed superpowers. The ever-present threat of mutually assured destruction from nuclear arsenals deterred the two nations from open war against each other. Even so, the decades-long rivalry was far from peaceful: it played out through devastating proxy conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan, a relentless global arms race that stacked thousands of nuclear warheads on both sides, and a high-stakes competition for dominance in space exploration that pushed the boundaries of human technological achievement.

    The formal end of the confrontation came with the collapse of the Eastern Bloc: the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 marked the beginning of the bloc’s dissolution, which concluded with the full breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite ending more than three decades ago, this era continues to leave an indelible mark on modern society. It reshaped global cultural production, accelerated breakthroughs in scientific and technological research, and redefined the structure of international relations, leaving behind the complex multipolar world we see today. Many of the lingering diplomatic tensions between major global powers can trace their origins back to the ideological divides of the Cold War era.

    This fact sheet is pulled from the answer key for the “QUIZ World, Wars and Conflicts 1.1” on HaitiLibre’s dedicated QuizHaitiLibre platform, which launched to the public earlier this year. The platform offers a wide range of quizzes covering topics from Haitian local history and culture to global events and specialized expert-level themes, allowing visitors to test their general knowledge at their own pace.

    To make the resource accessible to all users, all of the platform’s exclusive quizzes are completely free to access and require no account registration to play. Every quiz is offered in both French and English, and built to accommodate a range of skill levels with three difficulty settings: normal, intermediate, and advanced. As part of the platform’s scheduled monthly content update, 28 brand new quizzes were added to the site on Wednesday, April 8, with new content added every month for returning visitors. Dozens of knowledge games are already available to explore, and users can access the full collection at any time at https://quiz.haitilibre.com/en.

  • Verdeeldheid in coalitie over Viskeuringsinstituut; opheldering gewenst

    Verdeeldheid in coalitie over Viskeuringsinstituut; opheldering gewenst

    A heated debate over alleged serious misconduct at Suriname’s Het Viskeuringsinstituut (VKI, Fish Inspection Institute) has taken center stage in the country’s National Assembly, with political factions split over the handling of the allegations against the institute’s long-serving director and the lack of transparent information for full legislative oversight.

    The controversy dates back to January 26, 2026, when a new governing board was installed for the VKI. Since that change, unsubstantiated claims of severe wrongdoing have been levied, with director Juliette Colli-Wongsoredjo publicly named as the party responsible for the purported mismanagement. NDP faction leader Rabin Parmessar opened the debate by criticizing the handling of the allegations, noting that no concrete, documented evidence has been presented to lawmakers to date even as Colli-Wongsoredjo’s professional reputation has been publicly dragged through the mud.

    Parmessar reminded fellow parliamentarians that the director has served competently under multiple successive administrations, with her commitment to the role widely praised for years. Under her leadership, he added, Suriname has achieved a unique regional distinction: it remains the only country in the entire Caribbean and South American region authorized to export fish products to both the European Union and North America, a major economic win for the country’s key fishing sector. Parmessar called on the ruling government to provide clear, full disclosure on any verified misconduct, gaps in financial management, and the extent to which any such issues can be directly linked to the director. He emphasized that full transparency is non-negotiable to protect public servants from unfounded reputational damage.

    Not all lawmakers share the same perspective on the VKI controversy, however. A20 faction leader Steven Reyme told the assembly that he has received different information about the case than what Parmessar presented. Reyme argued that the matter must be handled with deliberate care, and that full, clear information must be gathered before any conclusions are drawn, to avoid creating the perception that oversight officials are being improperly maligned. In response, Parmessar countered that the full parliament has not been granted access to all relevant information, which is exactly why he and other NDP lawmakers are raising formal questions. He stressed that all information related to the public institution must be shared with the entire legislative body, not just individual selected members.

    Jennifer Vreedzaam, another NDP parliamentarian, added that all oversight activity must be rooted in verifiable facts and fair, evidence-based justification. She specifically criticized members of the VKI’s new board, claiming that they have leaked confidential internal information to the press to shape public narrative around the allegations. Vreedzaam also called for greater scrutiny of the institute’s overall financial standing and accumulated reserves, a key component of its long-term operational stability.

    VHP lawmaker Mahinder Jogi drew attention to the massive economic stakes tied to this controversy, noting that Suriname’s fish export sector generates approximately $80 million USD in annual revenue for the country. He warned that ongoing political tension within the VKI and a lack of consistent technical expertise at the institution could have severe downstream consequences for export volumes and international trust in Suriname’s fish certification and quality control systems, which are critical to maintaining market access in the EU and North America.

    Even within the call for transparency, some NDP members expressed support for a full formal probe. NDP lawmaker Ebu Jones backed further investigation into the allegations, referencing a closed briefing already held for the standing committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries with the responsible minister. Jones noted that if irregularities or corrupt activity are confirmed through a full, fair investigation, decisive action must be taken to address the wrongdoing.

    Following the full day of debate, the national government announced that it will deliver a comprehensive response to all the questions raised by lawmakers during the next public plenary session of the National Assembly.

  • Nevis Debuts “The Trial of Hamilton & Nelson” A New Era of Caribbean Tourism and Storytelling

    Nevis Debuts “The Trial of Hamilton & Nelson” A New Era of Caribbean Tourism and Storytelling

    The Caribbean island of Nevis ushered in a new chapter of cultural tourism on April 29, 2026, with the debut of an innovative, audience-driven theatrical production that reimagines how visitors engage with local and global history. Titled *The Trial of Hamilton & Nelson*, this one-of-a-kind immersive experience is the brainchild of Greg Phillip, CEO of local tour operator Nevis Sun Tours, and it marks a deliberate break from the passive, sun-and-sea tourism experiences that have long defined many Caribbean destinations. At the core of the production is a bold premise: two of the most influential historical figures tied to Nevis, Founding Father of the United States Alexander Hamilton (born on the island) and British naval icon Horatio Nelson (who married a Nevis local), stand side-by-side on trial for charges tied to their complex legacies. What sets this production apart from traditional historical tours, museum exhibits, or even scripted theater is its commitment to active audience participation. Unlike conventional experiences where attendees absorb pre-written narratives, every attendee of *The Trial of Hamilton & Nelson* steps into the role of a juror. Using real-time digital voting tools, audience members weigh the evidence presented, deliberate on the charges, and cast votes that directly shape the final outcome of the performance. “This is not about telling history,” Phillip explained in the lead-up to the debut. “It is about interacting with it, engaging with it in a meaningful way and being responsible for how we understand and judge it.” The concept grows from the striking overlapping threads of Hamilton and Nelson’s lives, both of which were defined by global conflict, the pursuit of power, and deeply controversial personal and professional choices that still spark debate centuries later. Rather than shying away from difficult, modern conversations, the production centers them, exploring four core themes that remain urgent in 21st-century public discourse: immigration and belonging, the legacy of war and conquest, ethical standards for public officials, and historical accountability for the transatlantic slave trade. The production’s framing sets a provocative tone for this inquiry. “This Court brings four charges against two men,” the opening statement declares, challenging audiences to reject the idea of history as a fixed, unchanging narrative and instead approach it as a living story open to questioning, reexamination, and personal judgment. Provocative lines woven through the script push audiences to confront nuance: “Birth is an accident. Love is a decision,” one line reads, touching on questions of identity and belonging. Another asks: “Is every personal failing of a public figure properly the subject of indictment?” A third reminds participants of the weight of their role: “Where there is guilt… punishment must follow.” In a boost for Nevis’s growing local creative economy, the entire cast is made up of experienced local performers, several of whom have already appeared in major international film productions shot on the island. This all-local cast reinforces Nevis’s emerging reputation as a dynamic hub for creative and cultural expression in the Caribbean. Phillip, who has spent years researching and developing projects around Hamilton’s connection to Nevis, acknowledged that crafting the production came with unexpected challenges. “Having spent years working with Hamilton’s story, I expected him to prevail,” he said. “But the history did not allow for easy conclusions. That is the same position we now place the audience in.” Following its successful debut on April 29, the production will become a permanent, bookable experience for visitors to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. It adds a distinct, intellectually engaging cultural option to the destination’s tourism lineup, drawing visitors who seek more than traditional beach getaways and positioning Nevis as a leader in innovative, thoughtful cultural tourism across the Caribbean region.

  • Signatures for peace, for life

    Signatures for peace, for life

    In a sweeping display of popular unity and unyielding rejection of external meddling, thousands of residents across Cuba’s central province of Ciego de Ávila have mobilized to participate in the “My Signature for the Homeland” campaign, a nationwide grassroots initiative pushing back against rising hostile actions from the United States government.

    Launched on April 19, the 65th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs victory — widely marked across Cuba as the first decisive military defeat of U.S.-backed imperial expansion in Latin America — the signature drive will run through May 1, International Workers’ Day, aligning with widespread popular mobilizations responding to the escalating warmongering rhetoric and policy against the island nation.

    Spontaneous participation has unfolded across every corner of the province: from primary schools and industrial workplaces to senior community centers, military garrisons, public medical clinics, government administrative offices, and local Committees for the Defense of the Revolution. Cubans of all ages and backgrounds have turned out voluntarily to add their names to the campaign’s rosters.

    Niurka Ferrer Castillo, general secretary of the Cuban Workers’ Confederation (CTC) in Ciego de Ávila, emphasized to state-owned newspaper Granma that the mobilization is not coerced, but a natural, heartfelt expression of the Cuban people’s demands. “This is not a forced act, but a genuine cry for peace. We signed for our families, for life, for the right to exist as a free nation,” Ferrer explained.

    The simple act of signing carries profound symbolic and political weight: every signature represents a clear affirmation of support for peace, and an uncompromising rejection of foreign-instigated conflict. Signatories overwhelmingly condemn the decades-long intensification of the U.S. economic, commercial, and financial blockade against Cuba, as well as recent hostile statements and actions that threaten the island’s domestic stability. “Cuba will not bow to the designs of the empire,” Ferrer reiterated.

    Official data from the province highlights five municipalities that have recorded particularly high turnout: Chambas, Baraguá, Ciro Redondo, Primero de Enero, and the provincial capital also named Ciego de Ávila. Organizers describe the broad participation as a living exercise in popular sovereignty, driven by the Cuban public itself rather than top-down mandate.

    Radamés Alemán Alonso, a retired veteran of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, framed the campaign as a collective defense of national dignity. “Each signature is another stone in the wall of dignity,” he said. “There is no place for fear or intimidation here.”

    Martha María González Gutiérrez, a homemaker from the Centro neighborhood council, echoed that sentiment as she added her name to a community signature sheet. “I sign for my children, for the future, because we understand that peace is not begged for, it is defended,” she stated.

    The mass participation in Ciego de Ávila forms part of a nationwide movement that has seen millions of Cubans add their signatures across the country. Beyond a symbolic gesture, the collective action sends an unmistakeable message to the international community: regardless of the pressure and threats coming from the United States, revolutionary consciousness and deep patriotism remain firmly rooted in Cuban society. The collective action of the Cuban people reaffirms a timeless promise: this nation will never surrender its right to self-determination.

  • IMF says CBI can help SVG but warns against development bank

    IMF says CBI can help SVG but warns against development bank

    Less than one month after the New Democratic Party (NDP) took power following a landslide election victory that ended a quarter-century of Unity Labour Party (ULP) rule in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has weighed in on two of the new administration’s flagship policy proposals, delivering a mix of conditional approval and sharp pushback. In a joint press conference held Tuesday in the capital Kingstown with SVG Prime Minister and Finance Minister Godwin Friday, IMF mission chief Sergei Antoshin shared the global financial body’s assessment of the NDP’s planned citizenship by investment (CBI) programme, a key campaign promise from the party’s successful November 2025 election run. Antoshin noted that, if structured correctly, the new CBI programme could deliver a modest but meaningful boost to SVG’s public fiscal revenue, the explicit core goal of the initiative. But he stressed that poor design carries significant unaddressed risks, and outlined clear parameters for what the IMF considers an effective, low-risk framework. According to Antoshin, the optimal structure for the programme centers on a single direct donation or contribution to public funds, while pathways that grant citizenship in exchange for private sector investments or real estate purchases are strongly discouraged. He also added a critical requirement: all revenue generated through the CBI programme must be allocated exclusively to reducing the country’s outstanding public debt. The NDP administration has remained firm in its commitment to launching the programme, despite ongoing public opposition from the defeated ULP, which has pushed back against the policy since it was first introduced on the campaign trail. Beyond the CBI proposal, Antoshin made clear that the IMF does not back the NDP’s plan to establish a new national development bank, a proposal already being debated in the country’s parliament. The IMF’s rejection draws on past high-risk experiences with similar institutions across the Caribbean region, and aligns with the ULP opposition’s stance against the initiative. Antoshin explained that launching the new bank would require significant upfront public capitalization, paired with ongoing recurring fiscal costs that would undermine SVG’s critical ongoing fiscal consolidation efforts. He also warned that the institution would create substantial additional contingent liabilities that would strain the country’s public finances long-term. Instead of creating a new standalone institution, Antoshin argued that policymakers should prioritize strengthening the country’s existing credit intermediation systems to support economic development. The IMF’s public comments come one week after SVG’s parliament opened debate on a private member’s motion put forward by government senator Chelsea Alexander, which formally calls for the establishment of the new development bank. ULP Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves, who served as prime minister for the party’s 25 years in office, has already spoken against the motion, drawing on historical experience with similar development-focused institutions in SVG to back his opposition. Prime Minister Friday has rejected Gonsalves’ criticism as lacking forward-thinking imagination, arguing that consolidating development financing functions into a single entity is far more efficient than the fragmented model of eight separate institutions that operated under the previous ULP administration. The parliamentary debate on the motion is currently adjourned, with a resumption date yet to be announced by legislative leaders.

  • Haiti celebrates 70 years of Haitian-Japanese diplomatic relations

    Haiti celebrates 70 years of Haitian-Japanese diplomatic relations

    In a formal ceremony held Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Port-au-Prince’s Montana Hotel, Haiti’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs gathered senior diplomatic leaders from both Haiti and Japan to commemorate the 70th platinum jubilee of bilateral diplomatic relations between the two nations. The event was attended by Haiti’s Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, Haitian Foreign Minister Raina Forbin, and Kazuhiko Nishiuchi, Japan’s Ambassador to Port-au-Prince, with Haiti’s Ambassador to Japan Louis Harold Joseph joining via remote video address.

    Opening official remarks, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé honored the deep, durable foundation of Haitian-Japanese ties, which have been rooted in shared principles of mutual respect and collaborative partnership since the two countries formally reestablished diplomatic relations in 1956. The prime minister reaffirmed the Haitian government’s commitment to expanding ties across political, economic, and cultural domains, calling for greater coordinated action from both nations’ private sectors to develop impactful public-private partnerships that unlock underutilized cooperation opportunities.

    Minister Forbin followed, emphasizing the high quality of bilateral collaboration, particularly amid Haiti’s ongoing efforts to restore national security. She stressed that future cooperation should remain centered on inclusive development, technological innovation, and institutional capacity building, urging a more dynamic bilateral agenda that aligns with the legitimate aspirations of both Haitian and Japanese people, while contributing to broader stability across the Caribbean region and the global stage.

    In his remote address, Ambassador Joseph framed the seven-decade diplomatic relationship as a model of constructive partnership between two nations separated by vast geographic distance, bound together by consistent mutual respect. He expressed profound gratitude from the Haitian people for Japan’s long-running, unwavering support across key development sectors including public education, healthcare, and national infrastructure. He also called for expanded cultural and economic exchange, noting that the platinum jubilee is not a milestone to cap the relationship, but a starting point for a new chapter of deepened strategic partnership between the two countries. Ambassador Joseph closed by reaffirming Haiti’s commitment to working alongside Japan to advance shared goals of regional and global stability.

    Japanese Ambassador Nishiuchi echoed these remarks, reiterating Japan’s steadfast commitment to Haiti and its determination to continue supporting the country’s ongoing stabilization efforts and long-term sustainable development.

    Beyond official addresses, the ceremony delivered a tangible step forward in bilateral cooperation: on the event’s sidelines, Minister Forbin and Toshimitsu Motegi, representing Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed a new Memorandum of Understanding focused on diplomatic training. According to a statement from Haiti’s Prime Minister’s Office, the agreement formalizes both nations’ shared commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and expanding high-level bilateral dialogue between their diplomatic teams.

  • U.S. Ambassador meets with Carolina Mejía to discuss shared development agenda

    U.S. Ambassador meets with Carolina Mejía to discuss shared development agenda

    Diplomatic engagement between the United States and the Dominican Republic has taken a step forward with a high-profile working meeting between U.S. Ambassador to the Caribbean nation Leah Francis Campos and Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía. The gathering, centered on deepening collaborative ties between the U.S. Embassy and the Dominican capital’s municipal government, was hosted at the Santo Domingo City Hall located in the city’s historic Colonial City district, where Mayor Mejía and her senior municipal staff formally welcomed Ambassador Campos.

    Beyond routine diplomatic courtesy, the discussion covered a wide range of topics that align with the mutual priorities of both parties. The two senior officials walked through a range of untapped collaboration opportunities, while also openly exchanging perspectives on shared challenges that continue to shape local economic and social development across Santo Domingo. A core focus of the talks was mapping out potential forms of support that the U.S. Embassy can extend to the city administration, with particular emphasis placed on two key areas: governance transparency and inclusive community development projects that directly benefit local residents.

    By the close of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing an expanded bilateral working agenda rooted in tangible, results-driven cooperation. In addition to the priority areas of transparency and community progress, the talks also touched on other critical domains set to feature in future joint work, including public security frameworks, foreign investment attraction, and long-term institutional capacity building for the municipal government.

  • Transport Crisis Averted but Who’s Looking Out for Commuters?

    Transport Crisis Averted but Who’s Looking Out for Commuters?

    A looming transport crisis that threatened to hike bus fares for thousands of daily commuters across Belize has been temporarily averted, but the emerging framework of a deal between national authorities and private bus operators has sparked fierce debate over who will ultimately bear the cost, and whether ordinary travelers had a seat at the negotiating table.

    After 48 hours of closed-door negotiations that stretched into the final hours before a scheduled fare increase set to take effect Wednesday, the two sides have yet to finalize all terms of the agreement. As a result, the new higher rates will not go into force as planned, buying at least one additional day of negotiations. But what has already been confirmed points to an outcome that delivers the key concessions bus operators have demanded: a taxpayer-funded diesel subsidy to offset rising fuel costs, and permission to implement permanent fare increases across all routes.

    Critics argue that while the deal provides immediate financial relief to bus companies, it shifts the bulk of the burden onto everyday Belizeans, who will pay either through higher ticket prices or increased public spending drawn from tax revenues. Concerns have been amplified by the government’s ownership stake in the National Bus Company, one of the largest operators set to profit from the approved fare hikes. This overlapping interest has triggered accusations of conflict of interest, with questions raised over whether commuters’ interests were ever prioritized during negotiations.

    Opposition advocate Shane Williams highlighted the gap in representation at the bargaining table. “Now while we had representation from the bus owners’ association and from the government, we know that in both cases, subsidies are paid for by taxpayers. Who was in the meeting representing taxpayers, because ultimately by raising the fares and the subsidy, taxpayers will pay,” Williams said.

    Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh, who has faced growing pressure to explain the details of the pending deal and its intended beneficiaries, pushed back on criticism in an on-the-record interview. “Well ultimately we are all Belizean taxpayers here. Myself as minister I am working in the government. The government is for the people. And that means that we have always been very careful in this analysis because precisely as you said, there’s an impact on the rest of Belize,” Zabaneh explained.

    The minister noted that the compromise reached between the two sides was crafted with input from all stakeholders, including the Belize Bus Association, whose members recognize the broader impact of the deal on residents. “So I believe that the members of the BBA are also cognizant of that, and that is where we’ve come to this compromise position. I believe that where we are now that all operators would be able to function properly and we can focus back again on what’s most important, the welfare of our commuters, that they move from point A to point B safely, that we are offering good services on time and that we can work together to continue to improve the sector,” Zabaneh added. “I think we all have that goal together and we can put this behind us and look for better days ahead for our commuters and for the bus sector generally.”

    Under the terms already agreed, the National Bus Company will implement a 50-cent increase for short-distance routes and a $1 increase for long-distance trips once the deal is finalized. Negotiations are set to resume Wednesday to iron out remaining outstanding details. This report is a transcript of an evening television broadcast, with all speaker statements rendered accurately per standard transcription conventions.

  • FAO ready to support the development of food supply chains in Haiti

    FAO ready to support the development of food supply chains in Haiti

    In a high-level working meeting held in Port-au-Prince on April 27, 2026, Haiti’s Minister of Commerce and Industry James Monazard held strategic talks with Pierre Vauthier, the leading representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Haiti, to advance cooperation on strengthening the country’s food supply chains and unlock economic potential across high-growth agricultural sectors.

    During the discussions, Vauthier articulated FAO’s formal commitment to long-term support for the development of Haiti’s food production and export sectors, singling out the domestic mango industry as a primary area of focus. Haitian mangoes have long been recognized by global trade analysts for their untapped significant export potential that has yet to be fully scaled, making the sector a strategic priority for inclusive growth.

    Minister Monazard welcomed FAO’s planned intervention, noting that mango production was once a core driving force of Haiti’s national economy, capable of generating widespread income and trade revenue when supported by targeted infrastructure and policy coordination. Beyond mangoes, Monazard drew attention to two additional high-potential strategic sectors: artisanal and industrial fishing, and cocoa cultivation. Both sectors, he emphasized, hold substantial untapped capacity for increased value addition and widespread job creation across rural Haitian communities that have long faced economic stagnation.

    By the end of the talks, the two sides reached a concrete agreement to launch a new cross-institutional joint commission, bringing together Haiti’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, FAO’s local country office, and Haiti’s Ministry of Agriculture. This coordinating body will align stakeholder efforts to advance the structured, inclusive development of all three priority sectors, eliminating fragmented planning and overlapping initiatives.

    Both participants also underlined the critical need to deepen private sector engagement, particularly by centering the input and participation of local entrepreneurs already operating in mango, fishing, and cocoa sectors. This inclusive approach, they agreed, is essential to building a collaborative, environmentally and economically sustainable development model that benefits local communities rather than external stakeholders alone.

    During the meeting, several concrete priority intervention areas were formally identified to guide initial work. For the mango sector, key priorities include upgrading national quality control systems, standardizing product labeling, and modernizing packaging infrastructure to meet international export standards. For the fishing sector, plans focus on expanding vocational training programs for small-scale artisanal fishermen and distributing appropriate, sustainable fishing equipment to boost productivity without depleting local fish stocks. For cocoa, the core priority is building local processing capacity to convert raw cocoa beans into high-value derivative products such as premium chocolate, dramatically increasing the domestic added value of Haitian cocoa exports rather than shipping unprocessed raw materials abroad.

    Formalization of a official collaborative framework for these initiatives will get underway in the coming weeks, with the first working sessions of the joint commission expected to convene by early summer. The meeting concluded in a warm, cordial atmosphere, with both parties expressing shared satisfaction with the progress made and reaffirming their commitment to continuing detailed negotiations to move these development initiatives forward, ultimately supporting broad-based, inclusive economic growth across Haiti.