Carib Scope

标签： Haiti

海地

  • 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.

  • Culture : The Government announces concrete measures for artisans

    Culture : The Government announces concrete measures for artisans

    The Haitian government has announced a sweeping initiative to bolster the nation’s artisan community through strategic investments and institutional support. During the 19th Annual Handicrafts Festival, Social Affairs and Labor Minister Georges Wilbert Franck, alongside National Handicrafts Office (ONART) Director Angeline C. Jean-Louis, unveiled the ambitious Support for Strengthening the Production Capacity of Haitian Artisans (ARECPAH) project.

    The comprehensive plan includes establishing three new government-operated handicraft retail outlets across key regional centers: Les Cayes in the South, Jacmel in the Southeast, and Cap-Haïtien in the North. These physical locations will provide artisans with dedicated venues to showcase and market their traditional creations.

    Financial mechanisms form a critical component of the revitalization strategy. Minister Franck confirmed that ONART will administer a specialized credit line designed to help artisans scale their production capabilities. Additionally, the Ministry is preparing to implement direct subsidy programs for qualified artisans, scheduled to commence by January 2026.

    Recognizing the multidimensional challenges facing the sector, the government will establish an inter-ministerial commission incorporating expertise from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Industry, and Tourism. This collaborative body will address fundamental issues including design standardization, international market access, production scalability, and improved packaging and shipping infrastructure.

    ONART Director Jean-Louis praised the ministerial efforts, noting that the ARECPAH project positions the agency as an active development partner rather than merely a regulatory body. During the festival, ONART representatives conducted on-site registration drives to enroll artisans in the new support system.

    The digital transformation of Haiti’s crafts sector is also underway, with development ongoing for an e-commerce platform that will enable global online sales of Haitian handicrafts. Director Jean-Louis encouraged artisans to utilize ONART’s physical and upcoming digital channels to maximize the commercial potential of their work.

  • FLASH : Limited-time offer of $3,000 USD and a free plane ticket

    FLASH : Limited-time offer of $3,000 USD and a free plane ticket

    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a significant, time-limited enhancement to its voluntary departure program, offering undocumented immigrants substantial financial incentives to leave the country before year’s end. Through the CBP Home mobile application, individuals who register for self-deportation by December 31, 2025, will receive a $3,000 cash bonus along with a fully funded plane ticket to their home country.

    Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterized the increased incentive as a “generous” holiday-season offering from U.S. taxpayers, noting that the amount represents a tripling of previous voluntary departure bonuses. The program not only provides financial compensation and travel arrangements but also guarantees exemption from fines or civil penalties typically associated with deportation orders.

    Official statistics reveal substantial program participation, with approximately 1.9 million undocumented immigrants having voluntarily departed since January 2025, including tens of thousands who utilized the CBP Home application. Secretary Noem emphasized the urgency of the limited-time offer while issuing a stern warning to those who might decline: “Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return.”

    The DHS describes the process as streamlined and user-friendly. Prospective participants need only download the CBP Home app, complete their personal information, and await transportation arrangements—all coordinated and financed by the department. This initiative represents one of the most significant financial incentives ever offered for voluntary departure from the United States.

  • Social : Haiti’s Influence in France Award (list of Laureates)

    Social : Haiti’s Influence in France Award (list of Laureates)

    In a landmark ceremony organized by the Haitian Embassy in Paris, the inaugural Haiti in France Influence Awards celebrated outstanding individuals whose contributions have significantly elevated Haiti’s profile across French society and beyond. Ambassador Louino Volcy presided over the event, emphasizing the diplomatic mission’s commitment to promoting a positive and credible image of Haiti on the international stage.

    The awards recognized achievements across multiple disciplines, with literature honors presented to Robert PHILOMÉ for his patriotic novel “Port-au-Prince, Cotonou, un écho sans retour” and Yanick LAHENS for her distinguished literary works that consistently center Haitian narratives. The History and Memory category distinguished Éric SAURAY for his illuminating work on Haitian historical figures and Jean-Marie THÉODAT for his scholarly research and advocacy regarding independence restitution.

    Cultural preservation efforts were celebrated through awards to Josette BRUFFAERTS of Haiti Futur association for promoting Haitian literature, musician Joé “Dwèt Filé” for popularizing Compas music internationally, and Lourdy MORLAND whose Bohio Ayiti Association actively transmits Haitian heritage in France. Culinary arts recognition went to Chef Carline IRANTUS for showcasing Haitian gastronomy.

    Sports achievements featured prominently with international football star Melchie “Corventina” Dumornay honored for inspiring Haitian youth and the Grenadiers national team celebrated for their historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Special Honor and Merit Awards were presented to embassy staff members Jocelyne Béranger and Garba Tangou for their exemplary service and contribution to diplomatic operations.

  • Construction : New version of the Haiti’s National Building Code (2025)

    Construction : New version of the Haiti’s National Building Code (2025)

    PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – In a landmark move to address mounting seismic vulnerabilities and climate change impacts, Haitian authorities have officially validated a comprehensive revision of the National Building Code (CNBH). The December 19, 2025 ceremony, spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Works in partnership with the Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Communities, marks Haiti’s most significant building safety overhaul in twelve years.

    This critical update emerges as an essential technical safeguard against informal construction practices that have historically heightened population risks across both urban and rural landscapes. Developed through an extensive participatory process, the CNBH 2025 represents the culmination of synergistic efforts between the National Steering Committee and distinguished technical experts.

    The revised code introduces substantial advancements, particularly through its rigorous integration of seismic and cyclonic parameters while adapting technical specifications to accommodate locally available construction materials. A pioneering innovation involves the code’s expanded jurisdiction, which now encompasses standard buildings and traditional rural constructions—including timber-framed structures with stone infill—ensuring comprehensive safety coverage across all territorial divisions.

    Transcending mere technical specifications, the CNBH 2025 serves as a unifying framework aligned with International Code Council standards. Ministry officials emphasize that the code constitutes not just a regulatory document but an enforceable common reference for all construction stakeholders. The implementation responsibility now falls to engineers, architects, craftspeople, and local authorities, whose adherence will determine the success of sustainable reconstruction efforts aimed at protecting both lives and investments for current and future generations.

    This achievement was made possible through robust national and international cooperation. The Ministry of Public Works extended particular gratitude to the Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) for crucial support, alongside decisive technical assistance from Build Change, CRAterre, and the ICC. Academic institutions, technical experts, and civil society organizations were also acknowledged for their contributions in providing Haiti with a modern, sovereign technical governance instrument.

  • Elections : The Government’s course for the 2026 elections

    Elections : The Government’s course for the 2026 elections

    In a significant address to local governance leaders, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé has outlined an ambitious roadmap for national recovery centered on the 2026 general elections. Speaking at the inaugural forum of the National Federation of Communal Administration Council (CASEC), the Prime Minister declared 2026 as both an election year and a period marked by unrestricted movement of people and goods throughout the country.

    The cornerstone of this initiative involves establishing robust security frameworks as an essential precondition for credible elections. Fils-Aimé, who also serves as President of the Superior Council of the National Police (CSPN), emphasized the creation of Security Councils across all communal sections. These bodies will implement structured mechanisms for sharing critical security intelligence between local authorities and central government agencies, enhancing coordination and response capabilities.

    In a move to strengthen institutional cohesion, the government pledged to address longstanding financial grievances by settling a substantial portion of the 23 months of salary arrears owed to local elected officials. This gesture recognizes their pivotal role in maintaining governance structures and national stability.

    The Prime Minister, accompanied by Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé, reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to neutralizing armed groups and fully restoring state authority. This security consolidation is deemed fundamental for the emergence of legitimate elected institutions in 2026.

    Adding a dimension of national unity, the government announced that each communal section will receive television equipment and solar panel systems to support public viewing of the 2026 World Cup, where Haiti’s national team, the Grenadiers, will participate. This initiative aims to foster collective pride and hope throughout the Haitian Nation.

  • Health : Launch of the national project «My Cleanliness, My Health»

    Health : Launch of the national project «My Cleanliness, My Health»

    In a significant public health mobilization, Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health has inaugurated a sweeping national initiative titled “Pwòpte m se sante m” (My Cleanliness, My Health). Spearheaded by the Directorate of Health Promotion and Environmental Protection, this multi-faceted program represents a strategic response to the nation’s critical hygiene and sanitation challenges.

    The project specifically targets high-risk environments where vulnerable populations face elevated health threats, including prisons, displacement camps, and regional healthcare facilities. These locations have been identified as breeding grounds for infectious diseases such as cholera, scabies, and various parasitic conditions that thrive in unsanitary conditions.

    Organized around four strategic pillars, the initiative encompasses comprehensive interventions:

    1. Prison Sanitation Enhancement: Implementing intensive decontamination protocols, disinfecting living quarters and sanitation facilities, conducting fumigation against disease vectors, and rehabilitating critical water access points to meet established hygiene standards.

    2. Displacement Camp Support: Establishing regular sanitation services and permanent community health posts in Port-au-Prince’s densely populated displacement camps through organized clean-up campaigns, improved waste management systems, and reinforced WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) infrastructure.

    3. Mobile Medical Services: Deploying mobile clinic units to provide incarcerated individuals with direct healthcare access, including comprehensive medical consultations, systematic screening for tuberculosis, STIs/HIV, and scabies, alongside essential medication distribution.

    4. Hospital Infection Control: Strengthening hygiene protocols in departmental hospitals through targeted decontamination of critical care areas including delivery rooms and surgical theaters, alongside implementing safe biomedical waste disposal systems to meet prevention standards.

    This coordinated effort marks a proactive approach to epidemic prevention through environmental health improvements, representing one of Haiti’s most comprehensive public health interventions targeting institutional sanitation infrastructure.

  • FLASH : A Haitian migrant dies in the USA, one day after his arrest

    FLASH : A Haitian migrant dies in the USA, one day after his arrest

    A tragic incident at a New Jersey immigration facility has raised serious questions about detention center conditions and transparency. Jean Wilson Brutus, a 41-year-old Haitian-American man, died just one day after being taken into custody at Delaney Hall in Newark, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

    ICE officials attributed Brutus’s December 2025 death to what they described as a “medical emergency” resulting from “natural causes.” However, this explanation has been met with skepticism from immigrant advocacy organizations who note the agency’s own admission that Brutus displayed no signs of distress during intake processing and had no documented history of cardiovascular problems.

    The circumstances surrounding the week-long delay in publicly acknowledging Brutus’s death have further fueled concerns. Kathy O’Leary, an activist who organizes vigils at the detention facility, emphasized the unanswered questions: “Was he denied essential medication? Did he receive improper treatment? These are precisely the types of concerns we consistently encounter.”

    ICE’s subsequent disclosure of Brutus’s criminal record— detailing four arrests between July 2024 and November 2025— has been criticized by advocacy groups as a deliberate strategy to shift blame and criminalize the victim rather than address institutional accountability.

    Delaney Hall, which opened earlier in 2025 as one of the nation’s largest migrant detention centers, has faced previous controversies regarding substandard conditions including inadequate hygiene, poor nutrition, severe overcrowding, and security failures—most notably a June 2025 riot that resulted in four escapes. The facility has also become a focal point for political tensions, culminating in the arrest of Newark’s mayor during a protest at the site last May. Brutus’s death marks the first fatality recorded at the controversial facility.

    In response to the incident, several Democratic legislators including Senator Cory Booker have demanded both a transparent investigation into Brutus’s death and the immediate closure of the detention center, characterizing the operation as “a stain on our community’s conscience.”