Carib Scope

标签： Haiti

海地

  • Nippes : Construction of the departmental incinerator for biomedical waste

    Nippes : Construction of the departmental incinerator for biomedical waste

    The Nippes Department of Haiti is witnessing a significant enhancement to its healthcare infrastructure with the ongoing construction of a specialized biomedical waste incineration facility. This strategic initiative, vigorously championed by Departmental Health Director Dr. Esther Ceus Dumont, represents a critical advancement in regional public health and environmental safety.

    During a recent inspection of the construction site, Dr. Dumont emphasized the facility’s vital role in establishing secure disposal protocols for medical waste generated by both public and private healthcare institutions. She characterized the incinerator as an indispensable tool for mitigating health hazards, safeguarding community wellbeing, and ensuring ecological preservation—addressing a longstanding deficiency in the department’s waste management capabilities.

    Financial backing for this essential project is provided by the World Bank, with operational oversight delegated to the Project Management Unit and Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health under Minister Dr. Sinal Bertrand. The Haitian construction company SOPEC PLUS has been entrusted with the physical execution of the project.

    The path to construction required considerable institutional coordination. The designated plot, adjacent to the Departmental Health Directorate offices, had been subject to unlawful occupation. Through Dr. Dumont’s determined leadership, a collaborative effort involving police, judicial authorities, the General Directorate of Taxes, and the Ministry of Planning successfully reclaimed the property for its intended public use.

    Construction is now advancing at an accelerated pace, reflecting the unwavering commitment of health authorities to see this crucial public health project through to completion, marking a new chapter in medical waste management for the Nippes region.

  • Justice : The Government releases 23 prisoners for the holiday season

    Justice : The Government releases 23 prisoners for the holiday season

    In a significant humanitarian gesture during the 2025 holiday season, Haitian authorities granted freedom to 23 individuals who had been held in prolonged pretrial detention for minor offenses. The releases occurred on December 24th following an extensive case review process conducted by a high-level government delegation.

    The delegation included Justice Minister Patrick Pélissier, Women’s Rights Minister Pedrica Saint Jean, Government Commissioner Fritz Paterson Dorval, and Court Dean Bernard Saint-Vil. Their visit to the Center for the Re-education of Minors in Conflict with the Law (CERMICOL) spanned several hours and involved meticulous examination of detention files.

    Those released included vulnerable populations specifically identified for clemency: five women, one minor girl, thirteen minor boys, and four men. All had been incarcerated for several years despite facing only minor charges. Justice Minister Pélissier emphasized that the government carefully excluded anyone accused of serious crimes including rape, violent offenses, or kidnapping from this holiday pardon initiative.

    The action was implemented in strict accordance with Haitian legal provisions, with officials noting they considered the complex legal, social, and human circumstances of each individual case. The releases represent both a compassionate holiday gesture and a practical step toward addressing Haiti’s chronic issue of prolonged pretrial detention, particularly affecting women and juveniles in the judicial system.

  • Wishes 2026 : End of Year Message from HaitiLibre

    Wishes 2026 : End of Year Message from HaitiLibre

    As 2025 draws to a close, Haiti finds itself engulfed in what can only be described as a profound national nightmare. The Caribbean nation confronts a devastating convergence of humanitarian crises, with over five million citizens facing acute food insecurity and 1.4 million people displaced from their homes due to relentless violence. This year-end assessment from HaitiLibre paints a harrowing portrait of a nation where Christmas celebrations have been replaced by survival vigils under the constant threat of terror and deprivation.

    The editorial message, authored by Joseph Marcellus of HaitiLibre’s editorial management, characterizes 2025 as ‘a year of ashes and tears’ marked by widespread brutality particularly targeting women and girls. The communication serves as both a solemn memorial for thousands of lives lost and a heartfelt prayer for divine intervention as the nation approaches 2026.

    Despite the overwhelming darkness, the HaitiLibre team extends genuine gratitude to its readership of 211,000 Facebook followers and 87,300 X platform subscribers, acknowledging the courageous contributions of volunteer correspondents who risk their safety to report on Haiti’s reality. The platform, which has operated continuously for over 15 years since its founding after the 2010 earthquake, reaffirms its commitment to serving as a reliable information source for Haitians worldwide.

    The message concludes with a powerful dual aspiration: for individual readers to find security, health, and inner strength in the coming year, and for Haiti itself to finally witness the return of light after years of darkness. The editorial stands as both a testament to resilience and a poignant call for national renewal, embodying the platform’s declared neutrality while conveying the urgent needs of a suffering population.

  • PNH : Special day in honor of the children of police officers killed in combat (Video)

    PNH : Special day in honor of the children of police officers killed in combat (Video)

    PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – In a poignant display of solidarity during the Christmas season, Haiti’s National Police Force (PNH) hosted a special commemorative event on December 24, 2025, dedicated to children who lost parents in the line of duty throughout the year.

    The gathering, organized by the PNH General Directorate, transformed into an atmosphere of both celebration and remembrance. Children participated in games, dances, and shared a festive meal while receiving gifts, all under the supportive presence of the police high command.

    Acting PNH Commander Vladimir Paraison delivered an emotionally charged address that acknowledged the complex emotions surrounding the holiday for bereaved families. ‘How can I offer festive wishes,’ Paraison reflected, ‘when I know that for many children here, this celebration isn’t what they dreamed of? They face absence before even reaching adulthood.’

    Paraison’s speech emphasized the collective responsibility of the police force toward the families of fallen colleagues. ‘I don’t pretend to replace your father,’ he told the children, ‘but know this: behind every uniform, there is a protective presence. Each police officer carries a piece of your parent within them.’

    The commander specifically acknowledged the courage of widows raising children alone, pledging ongoing institutional support: ‘We cannot fill absences, but we commit to being a reflection of his presence beside you, a support when the road seems long.’

    The event concluded with holiday wishes and a renewed commitment from the police force to maintain close ties with the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving Haiti.

  • FLASH : The CEP has just published the revised electoral calendar in the Moniteur

    FLASH : The CEP has just published the revised electoral calendar in the Moniteur

    Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has formally released a comprehensive electoral calendar outlining the roadmap for the nation’s critical 2026 elections. Published in the official gazette Le Moniteur, this detailed schedule follows the December 1st publication of the Electoral Decree by the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT).

    The meticulously structured calendar spans from November 2025 through January 2027, encompassing all phases of the electoral process. Key milestones include the commencement of election campaigning on May 19, 2026, leading to the first round of combined legislative and presidential voting on August 30, 2026. Preliminary results for the initial round are scheduled for publication on October 3, 2026, with a potential second round slated for December 6, 2026. The final election results are projected to be announced on January 7, 2027.

    However, the CEP has explicitly conditioned the feasibility of this timeline on two critical prerequisites. First, the council emphasized the necessity of establishing an ‘acceptable security environment’ throughout Haiti’s territory. Currently, 23 communes across multiple departments remain under the control of armed groups, significantly complicating electoral logistics and operational safety.

    Second, the electoral body highlighted the imperative of securing adequate financial resources. The council noted that organizing elections in Haiti requires simultaneously addressing multiple emergencies while ensuring swift operational capabilities across all regions.

    Notably, the published electoral decree contains two significant amendments not originally approved by the CEP. These include provisions barring individuals subject to UN sanctions from candidacy and specifications regarding 10 Departmental Vote Tabulation Offices (BTVD).

    The comprehensive calendar outlines 28 distinct electoral activities, including voter registration from April to June 2026, candidate registration in April-May 2026, and extensive recruitment processes for electoral staff throughout the spring and summer of 2026.

  • Social : Rain of wishes 2026 (Part.1)

    Social : Rain of wishes 2026 (Part.1)

    As 2025 concludes, Haiti’s governmental bodies, cultural institutions, and diplomatic missions have collectively issued heartfelt seasonal greetings, blending traditional holiday wishes with calls for national unity and resilience. The messages reveal a nation grappling with profound challenges while maintaining determined optimism for the coming year.

    The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Civic Action set the tone by reflecting on a year marked by “inspiring sporting exploits and major legal advances,” urging citizens to embrace values of sharing, solidarity, and hope as essential foundations for social cohesion. This sentiment was echoed across multiple ministries, with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry specifically encouraging responsibility during celebrations and collective efforts toward “a more dynamic and prosperous society.”

    Law enforcement authorities struck a particularly poignant note, with the Haitian National Police renewing its commitment to “protect citizens, uphold republican order, and work with much more professionalism for collective security” despite ongoing challenges. Their message explicitly wished for peace, stability, and solidarity in 2026.

    The diaspora’s perspective emerged through consular messages from Montreal, Chicago, Santiago, and Miami. Montreal’s Consul General Anès Lubin notably reframed traditional wishes, stating that “‘Strength and courage’ would be more appropriate this year than the traditional ‘Peace and prosperity.’” This acknowledgment of Haiti’s difficult circumstances was balanced with references to the nation’s historical resilience, urging compatriots to remember their “heritage of the experience of the power of great unity against great adversity.”

    International partners joined the chorus of seasonal messages, with the United States Embassy offering particularly empathetic wishes. Ambassador Henry T. Wooster acknowledged that “for many, this holiday season does not bring the simple joys of previous years,” expressing solidarity with “families affected by insecurity, displacement and daily difficulties” while wishing for “moments of calm, comfort, hope and light.”

    UN representative Carlos G. Ruiz Massieu of BINUH distilled the overarching aspiration into a single phrase: “For a year 2026 of progress towards Peace and stability in Haiti.” This sentiment connected institutional messages from cultural entities like MUPANAH museum and The Art Center, which emphasized adaptation and evolution through difficult times.

    The collective messages create a tapestry of cautious optimism, acknowledging present struggles while maintaining hope for national progress, security, and prosperity in the year ahead.

  • FLASH : 1,000% increase in cases of sexual violence

    FLASH : 1,000% increase in cases of sexual violence

    The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has issued an urgent warning regarding the dramatic escalation of sexual violence against women and minors in Haiti, describing the situation as critically worsening. As the principal autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Commission emphasizes that the Haitian state must immediately reinforce protective measures for victims with support from international partners to curb further human rights abuses.

    United Nations agencies documented a staggering 1,000% increase in sexual violence cases between 2023 and 2024. Gang rape has evolved into a pervasive tactic, with reporting indicating both decreased ages of perpetrators and victims. Despite widespread underreporting due to fears of retaliation, at least 1,000 rapes—including gang rapes and sexual slavery—were officially recorded in the first half of 2025, primarily in regions dominated by armed groups.

    Systemic failures in Haiti’s security and judicial infrastructure have left victims without access to comprehensive care, protection, or legal recourse. This institutional breakdown fosters a culture of impunity and erodes the rule of law, perpetuating cycles of gender-based violence. Compounding the crisis, over 1.4 million people are internally displaced, more than half being children. Temporary shelters, while established, remain overcrowded and critically under-resourced, failing to safeguard women and girls from continued assault.

    The IACHR is calling for immediate international collaboration with Haitian authorities to implement robust prevention strategies, ensure accessible health services, and provide legal aid to victims. The Commission specifically highlights the necessity of establishing secure reporting channels to facilitate investigations and dismantle the entrenched impunity surrounding these crimes.

  • Diplomacy : Review and wishes of the American Ambassador Henry T. Wooster

    Diplomacy : Review and wishes of the American Ambassador Henry T. Wooster

    In his year-end address, U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Henry T. Wooster provided a comprehensive review of the nation’s tumultuous 2025 while extending holiday wishes to the Haitian people. The diplomat acknowledged the “profound hardship” facing the Caribbean nation, characterized by widespread insecurity, mass displacement, and political instability, yet emphasized the remarkable resilience demonstrated by Haitians throughout these challenges.

    Ambassador Wooster highlighted several significant achievements that brought national pride, including Haiti’s historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup after a 51-year absence from international soccer’s premier tournament. He also celebrated UNESCO’s recognition of compas music (konpa) as an intangible cultural heritage, noting these accomplishments demonstrate Haiti’s cultural richness beyond the narrative of gang violence.

    On security matters, the ambassador commended the Haitian National Police (HNP) for their courage and determination in confronting armed gangs under extremely difficult conditions. He reaffirmed America’s steadfast partnership through training, equipment, and technical assistance programs. Wooster specifically noted the UN Security Council’s authorization of a 5,500-strong Gang Suppression Force as a critical step forward, thanking the international community for responding to Haiti’s call for assistance.

    The diplomatic address recognized important institutional progress, particularly the publication of an electoral decree that establishes a pathway toward restoring constitutional order through elections. The United States pledged continued support for this process while urging swift action to organize free and fair elections by 2026.

    Ambassador Wooster emphasized the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts to combat instability, noting that individuals destabilizing Haiti through arms smuggling, financing, or other means have been sanctioned, detained, or arrested both in Haiti and the United States. He declared that “the era of impunity in Haiti is over” for those seeking to profit from the nation’s instability.

    Looking ahead, the ambassador expressed optimism about 2026 offering an opportunity to restore security, conduct elections, and move toward a safer, more prosperous Haiti governed by leaders chosen by the people themselves. He concluded by extending Christmas and New Year wishes on behalf of the entire U.S. Embassy team, acknowledging the hard-working Haitians from all walks of life who continue working to build their nation.

  • FLASH : The Haitian Coast Guard repels a major armed attack at sea

    FLASH : The Haitian Coast Guard repels a major armed attack at sea

    In a dramatic maritime confrontation, Haitian security forces successfully repelled a significant armed assault on commercial shipping near Port-au-Prince on December 23, 2025. The incident unfolded when a Coast Guard patrol vessel, providing security for a convoy of 13 merchant sailboats en route to La Gonâve Island, came under coordinated attack from five hostile watercraft manned by heavily armed combatants in the Gressier sector.

    Responding to the intensity of the assault, Haitian authorities immediately deployed additional naval assets including REMBO-class patrol boats as reinforcement. The ensuing engagement evolved into sustained combat operations lasting several hours as Coast Guard units battled the determined assailants.

    The counteroperation yielded significant tactical successes for government forces. Naval personnel neutralized one terrorist vessel through destruction and captured another intact. Multiple attackers were eliminated during the exchange of fire, though official casualty counts remain undisclosed.

    Tragically, the conflict claimed the life of one civilian sailor aboard the escorted merchant convoy. No Coast Guard personnel sustained injuries during the extended engagement, according to official statements.

    The decisive military action resulted in the complete restoration of maritime security in the affected zone. Coast Guard vessels maintained protective escort duties throughout the incident, ensuring the safe passage of commercial traffic. Normal maritime commerce has since resumed operations without further disruption.

  • Marathon for Peace : The Haitian National Police facilitates the return of citizens to the Champ de Mars

    Marathon for Peace : The Haitian National Police facilitates the return of citizens to the Champ de Mars

    In a landmark initiative to restore public confidence and reclaim urban spaces, the Haitian National Police (PNH) successfully orchestrated a ‘Marathon for Peace’ on December 21, 2025. The event, executed through its Community Educational Police (EduPOL) program with operational support from Brazilian NGO Viva Rio, marked a significant step toward social reintegration in Port-au-Prince’s long-avoided Champ de Mars area.

    The marathon featured three distinct starting locations—Place Boyer, Airport intersection, and Delmas 83—all converging at the historic Champ de Mars plaza. Demonstrating exceptional inclusivity, the event welcomed participants across all demographics: children, youth of both genders, and individuals with reduced mobility, all united under the banner of peace and community solidarity.

    The closing ceremony at the Occide Jeanty bandstand saw high-level attendance from Transitional Councilor Edgard Leblanc Fils and Acting PNH Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Paraison, alongside senior civil and law enforcement officials. Winners across participation categories received formal recognition and prizes.

    A robust security apparatus deployed by the PNH ensured incident-free proceedings throughout the event, enabling citizens to safely return to Champ de Mars for the first time in years amid previous security concerns. This strategic operation underscores the police force’s renewed commitment to community policing principles and its active role in fostering a culture of peace within Haitian society.