标签： Haiti

In a landmark address at the 51st Ordinary Session of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), Haiti’s Ambassador Lesly David charted a bold course for regional cooperation. The session, convened in Caracas, Venezuela on December 11, 2025, marked a historic moment as Ambassador David, who also serves as Haiti’s envoy to Colombia and Ecuador, addressed the ministerial meeting in his new capacity as the elected Permanent Secretary of SELA—the first Haitian national to hold this prestigious position.

Ambassador David positioned regional integration as ‘the most powerful tool’ available to counter global uncertainties, emphasizing that this approach transcends mere economic considerations. ‘It is not just about the economy, but about building collective unity, even from our differences,’ he declared before the assembly of member state representatives. The diplomat highlighted the paradoxical reality of a resource-rich region of approximately 660 million inhabitants that simultaneously remains ‘the most unequal region on the planet.’

Drawing attention to persistent structural challenges, David noted that ‘millions of our citizens still live in poverty, and extreme poverty, remaining at alarming levels, particularly affecting women, young people and vulnerable communities.’ In response to these pressing issues, he presented the Permanent Secretariat’s Work Programme as a ‘concrete response to these challenges, a roadmap that transforms good intentions into measurable actions.’

The comprehensive strategy rests on three foundational pillars: economic recovery, social development, and digitalization with infrastructure modernization. For economic revitalization, SELA committed to aggressively advance trade facilitation measures and organize the ‘Third China-Latin America and Caribbean Investment Cooperation Forum’ to attract essential foreign resources and technologies.

Regarding social development, the organization will prioritize poverty eradication initiatives, formulate cooperative development policies, and implement virtual workshops focused on educational strategies for integrating migrant women and girls. These efforts specifically aim to transform migration from a potential source of exclusion into a development opportunity incorporating gender perspective frameworks.

Concerning digital transformation, SELA pledged to promote comprehensive digitalization and develop sustainable, intelligent infrastructure throughout the region. Ambassador David emphasized that ‘modern infrastructure is the essential platform for the digital economy and that the synergy between these two pillars is crucial for development.’

The session reaffirmed SELA’s continuing role as a principal mechanism for fostering regional integration through intra-regional cooperation, ultimately aiming to stimulate economic recovery and comprehensive development across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Established in 1975 and headquartered in Caracas, Venezuela, SELA represents 28 member states after five decades of continuous operation. The organization specializes in promoting economic coordination, developing unified strategies for international engagement, and strengthening South-South cooperation through its recognized international legal personality.

Port-au-Prince Mayor Ralph Youri Chevry has publicly condemned an early morning police raid on his private residence that he claims violated constitutional protections and standard legal procedures. The incident occurred between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m. in the Juvenat neighborhood, involving multiple armed police units under the direction of Government Commissioner Fritz Patterson Dorval.

According to Mayor Chevry, the operation began with gunshots that awakened him and resulted in the unjustified killing of his dog. He emphasized that no search warrant was presented despite his repeated requests, and no formal charges were brought against him during the nearly three-hour operation. One of his security agents was temporarily arrested but later released in the Delmas area.

The police confiscated several weapons assigned to the mayor’s security detail, including a Galil AC 22 (Taurus), a T4, an AR-15 rifle, along with ammunition, a communication radio, and a surveillance drone.

In his official statement, Mayor Chevry cited Article 24.1 of Haiti’s 1987 Constitution, which establishes the inviolability of homes and requires that any search be conducted according to legally prescribed procedures. He further referenced the Code of Criminal Procedure, which mandates that searches must be authorized by a competent judge, accompanied by a reasoned warrant, and executed in the presence of witnesses.

Despite what he characterized as procedural violations, Chevry stated that he cooperated ‘calmly and responsibly’ during the operation, acknowledging the ‘specific circumstances’ while reaffirming his commitment to the rule of law, legal procedures, and transparency. The mayor emphasized his continued devotion to Port-au-Prince and Haiti, promising to provide further clarification through appropriate legal channels with his counsel.

He concluded by urging respect for established facts to prevent ‘confusion or manipulation’ of the incident, which raises significant questions about police procedures and constitutional protections in Haiti’s ongoing governance challenges.

In a significant immigration policy shift, the Department of Homeland Security has announced the termination of all categorical Family Reunification Parole (FRP) programs for nationals from seven countries, including Haiti, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The decision, effective immediately, marks a dramatic reversal from previous administration policies.

The DHS justification centers on addressing what it characterizes as systemic vulnerabilities in the humanitarian parole system. Administration officials contend that the FRP programs enabled insufficiently vetted individuals to bypass established immigration protocols, creating potential national security risks. The department emphasized that parole authority was never intended for broad categorical use but rather for individualized case assessments as originally mandated by Congress.

According to the federal notice published in the Federal Register, current FRP beneficiaries will see their parole status terminate on January 14, 2026, unless they have pending Form I-485 applications postmarked by December 15, 2025. Those with pending applications may maintain parole status until either their parole period expires or USCIS renders a final decision on their adjustment of status application.

The policy change carries substantial implications for employment authorization, as termination of parole status will automatically revoke work permits derived from that parole. DHS has committed to providing individual notifications to affected persons regarding both parole termination and employment authorization revocation.

The department is implementing a structured departure process, encouraging individuals without lawful status after program termination to utilize the CBP Home application to coordinate their departure. Financial incentives including exit bonuses, travel document assistance, and civil fine forgiveness are being offered to qualifying individuals who voluntarily depart by the established deadline.

WASHINGTON D.C. – In a significant diplomatic move, Haiti’s Interim President and Transition Council Coordinator Laurent Saint-Cyr commenced a pivotal two-day mission to the United States capital on December 11, 2025. This high-stakes visit represents a crucial effort by Haiti’s transitional leadership to address the nation’s multifaceted crisis through international cooperation.

The Washington mission focuses on securing essential international backing for two critical initiatives: the rapid deployment of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and the comprehensive implementation of the Organization of American States (OAS) Roadmap. These parallel efforts constitute the foundation of Haiti’s strategy to restore national security and establish conditions conducive to democratic processes.

This diplomatic engagement follows productive discussions held in New York on December 9 regarding international contributions to the GSF, where several nations and global partners expressed concrete support for the security initiative. During his Washington visit, Saint-Cyr will participate in the OAS-convened Group of Friends of Haiti meeting alongside numerous high-level bilateral, regional, and multilateral discussions.

The agenda centers on three priority areas: enhancing security measures, coordinating humanitarian response efforts, and establishing frameworks for credible electoral processes. The OAS Roadmap, developed through collaborative dialogue between the international organization and Haitian authorities, will feature prominently in all negotiations.

Saint-Cyr emphasized the Transitional Council’s dedication to strengthening strategic alliances and reinvigorating Haiti’s diplomatic presence to effectively combat the security crisis, protect vulnerable populations, and create necessary conditions for free and inclusive elections. The interim president is scheduled to return to Port-au-Prince on December 13, 2025, following the conclusion of these critical diplomatic meetings.