Carib Scope

标签： Haiti

海地

  • FLASH : Our U-17 Grenadiers qualify for the Qatar 2026 World Cup

    FLASH : Our U-17 Grenadiers qualify for the Qatar 2026 World Cup

    In a stunning display of determination and skill, Haiti’s U-17 national football team has secured qualification for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2026 following a thrilling 2-1 victory against Guatemala. The decisive match, held on February 10, 2026, at Guatemala City’s Cementos Prograso Stadium, culminated an impressive qualifying campaign that saw the young Grenadiers dominate their group with a perfect record.

    Facing tournament hosts Guatemala, who led Group C entering the final matchday, Haiti’s squad demonstrated remarkable composure under pressure. Coach Kowsky Sainvil made strategic adjustments to the starting lineup, introducing Danrick Dalce and Macenat K. Prophète while maintaining the core that had delivered previous victories.

    The match began with intense offensive pressure from Guatemala, but Haiti’s Sonson Jean-Baptiste stunned the home crowd in the 7th minute with a perfectly placed header from a Miguel Joseph free kick. Guatemala responded quickly, equalizing just four minutes later through Patrick Arana’s close-range header.

    Undeterred, Jean-Baptiste delivered again in the 22nd minute, scoring what would become the match-winning goal with a precise right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area. Despite sustained pressure from Guatemala throughout the second half, Haiti’s defense held firm, preserving their narrow advantage until the final whistle.

    The victory marks Haiti’s second consecutive qualification for the U-17 World Cup, demonstrating the program’s growing strength in international youth football. Haiti finished the qualifying stage with a perfect record of three wins, scoring 11 goals while conceding only two. Their performance places them atop Group C with nine points, ahead of Guatemala (6 points), Antigua & Barbuda (3 points), and Grenada (0 points).

  • Economy : NATCASH accelerates financial inclusion

    Economy : NATCASH accelerates financial inclusion

    In a significant stride toward economic empowerment, Haiti’s Natcash mobile wallet platform is transforming the nation’s financial landscape by bridging the gap between traditional banking and the unbanked population. Developed by National Telecom S.A. (NATCOM), this innovative digital solution has emerged as a cornerstone of Haiti’s financial infrastructure, particularly enhancing remittance processing for the global Haitian diaspora.

    Natcash’s comprehensive suite of services addresses critical financial needs through mobile-enabled transactions, including seamless money transfers, bill payment facilities, and accessible cash withdrawal options. The platform’s design prioritizes user-friendly accessibility while maintaining robust security protocols, enabling previously excluded populations to participate in the formal economy.

    A groundbreaking aspect of Natcash’s service expansion involves strategic partnerships with international money transfer operators CamTransfer and Unitransfer. These collaborations have established optimized channels for cross-border remittances, providing diaspora communities with transparent, secure, and efficient methods to support families in Haiti through direct wallet deposits.

    The technological architecture underlying Natcash incorporates cutting-edge security measures such as biometric verification, transaction geolocation tracking, and proprietary fraud prevention systems. These advanced features ensure real-time processing accuracy while safeguarding users’ financial assets against emerging threats in the digital landscape.

    Beyond individual users, Natcash’s ecosystem supports small business operations and maintains an extensive agent network that penetrates even Haiti’s most isolated regions. With millions of active accounts, the platform has generated substantial employment opportunities while promoting cashless transactions and enhancing financial literacy nationwide.

    This digital financial initiative represents a transformative approach to economic development, creating interconnected systems that simultaneously address immediate transactional needs while building long-term financial resilience across Haitian society.

  • FLASH : WIPO Global Prizes 2026, Call for Nominations

    FLASH : WIPO Global Prizes 2026, Call for Nominations

    The World Intellectual Property Organization has officially launched its prestigious Global Awards competition for 2026, marking the fifth edition of this international initiative that celebrates exceptional small and medium enterprises leveraging intellectual property for business growth and positive societal impact.

    This year’s program will honor eleven distinguished enterprises across multiple categories. Ten awards will recognize excellence across diverse economic sectors including healthcare, agri-food, environmental solutions, creative industries, and information technology. A special thematic award will spotlight SMEs within the sports industry, aligning with World Intellectual Property Day 2026’s focus. Additionally, two special mentions will highlight outstanding female entrepreneurs and young innovators.

    The selection process employs rigorous evaluation criteria examining multiple dimensions of intellectual property strategy. Judges will assess the robustness of business models and IP protection frameworks, the clarity of commercialization plans, the depth of internal IP culture within organizations, and contributions toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

    Winning enterprises gain access to exceptional benefits including global visibility through the WIPO-UN network, a tailored six-month mentorship program focusing on IP asset commercialization and business strategy development, valuable networking opportunities with investors and industry leaders, and an invitation to Geneva for the awards ceremony during the WIPO Assemblies.

    The competition has demonstrated significant growth and impact since its inception. The 2025 edition attracted over 780 applications from 95 countries, representing a 20% increase from the previous year. Historical data indicates that past winners have achieved substantial business advancements including successful fundraising campaigns, international market expansion, increased patent filings, and strengthened intellectual property portfolios.

    Eligibility extends to entrepreneurs and SMEs from all 194 UN member states operating across all economic sectors and geographic regions. Applications will remain open until March 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM Central European Time. Multilingual application forms are accessible through WIPO’s official portal in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian.

  • Security : Certified security agents at the Ministry of Agriculture

    Security : Certified security agents at the Ministry of Agriculture

    In a significant move to bolster institutional security, Haiti’s Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR) has completed an intensive specialized training program for its security personnel. The Western Department initiative represents a substantial advancement in protection standards for government facilities.

    The ministry engaged Protection and Risk Management S.A. (PRM Security), a recognized leader in risk mitigation solutions, to deliver expert instruction through two comprehensive sessions. The curriculum addressed critical operational competencies including controlled access procedures for sensitive buildings, implementation of preventive risk measures, and emergency response protocols for crisis situations and natural disasters.

    During the certificate ceremony, Agriculture Minister Vernet Joseph commended PRM Security for their ‘professionalism and technical contribution’ while praising participating officers for their discipline and dedication. Minister Joseph announced broader ambitions, stating: ‘We will modernize and professionalize security services for central bodies, with plans to replicate this training across all Departmental Directorates.’

    Jean Paul, representing PRM Security, confirmed that ‘officers are now fully equipped to ensure physical security for Ministry staff and infrastructure.’

    The most poignant endorsement came from Osmain Austène, Head of Security with 25 years of service, who described the initiative as ‘historic and highly beneficial,’ noting it was the first large-scale training program ever offered to security personnel within the ministry.

    This ceremony not only concludes the training cycle but signals a transformative shift toward institutionalized professional security protocols within Haiti’s agricultural administration.

  • PNH : Miragoâne, Monitoring of the construction of the future Nippes departmental police station (video)

    PNH : Miragoâne, Monitoring of the construction of the future Nippes departmental police station (video)

    A coalition comprising the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP-Haiti), the Japanese government, and the Haitian National Police (PNH) has conducted a comprehensive field assessment of the ongoing construction of a new departmental police headquarters in Miragoâne, Nippes department. This inspection marks a pivotal development in Haiti’s ongoing security enhancement initiatives.

    The regional law enforcement coordination center is being constructed at a strategic junction connecting four key departments: Grand’Anse, South, Southeast, and West. This geographical positioning establishes the facility as an essential operational nexus for coordinating PNH activities across Haiti’s Greater South region.

    The multimillion-dollar project receives technical implementation support from UNDP, financial backing from Japan, and will be operationally managed by Haitian law enforcement authorities. The facility will feature advanced infrastructure and modern equipment specifically designed to enhance operational coordination, improve response efficiency, and strengthen law enforcement capabilities throughout the region.

    This construction project forms an integral component of UNDP’s broader “Support Program for the Haitian National Police” initiative in Haiti. The comprehensive program aims to reinforce institutional governance structures, professionalize recruitment and training protocols, enhance operational capacities, and intensify efforts against organized criminal networks and gang-related violence that have plagued the nation.

  • Justice : Grande Rivière du Nord Prison, hell on earth

    Justice : Grande Rivière du Nord Prison, hell on earth

    A recent inspection of Haiti’s northern detention facilities has uncovered severe humanitarian violations at the Grande Rivière du Nord prison, with a leading advocacy group describing conditions as catastrophic. The Association of Volunteers for the Reintegration of Prisoners in Haiti (AVRED) published its third comprehensive report on February 8, 2026, documenting alarming findings during their December 2025 assessment tour.

    The penitentiary, housing 82 inmates including pretrial detainees, convicted individuals, women, and minors, operates under conditions that systematically violate fundamental human rights. The facility’s infrastructure has completely deteriorated, with collapsed walls creating security hazards and no electrical power available. Most critically, the prison lacks basic sanitation—inmates utilize an open septic tank that emits toxic fumes, creating health risks for both detainees and the adjacent community.

    Medical care remains virtually nonexistent, with reports of tuberculosis, malaria, and scabies spreading unchecked among the population. Only two nurses attempt to address healthcare needs without proper equipment or medications. Nutritional provisions fall far below acceptable standards, with inmates receiving just two daily meals of poor quality prepared under unsanitary conditions.

    The crisis extends to administrative failures, including no separation between adult and minor detainees, inadequate record-keeping systems, and absence of protection measures for vulnerable populations. Prison staff face equally dire circumstances, working without proper training, equipment, or living quarters.

    AVRED has issued an urgent international appeal for intervention, specifically targeting Haiti’s Ministry of Justice, Directorate of Penitentiary Administration, and Ministry of Public Health. The organization demands immediate infrastructure rehabilitation, guaranteed access to clean water and sanitation, proper medical and psychological services, staff reinforcements, and implementation of social reintegration programs.

  • Champions League Qualifiers : A Cuban coach for our U-20 Grenadiers

    Champions League Qualifiers : A Cuban coach for our U-20 Grenadiers

    In a strategic move to bolster its youth football program, the Haitian Football Federation (FHF) has announced the appointment of Cuban tactician Raúl Valentín González Triana as head coach of the U-20 men’s national team. This decision comes as Haiti prepares for the CONCACAF Champions League qualifiers, which serve as a gateway to three prestigious international tournaments: the 2027 FIFA World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, the 2026 Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

    González Triana, a 58-year-old former defender with extensive coaching experience, brings a proven track record of international success. He previously made history by qualifying Cuba’s U-20 team for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup—the country’s first appearance in the tournament. His technical staff will include Baltimore SC coach Ernso Datus as technical assistant and fellow Cuban José Manuel Morejón Rodríguez as physical conditioning coach.

    The Haitian Grenadiers are positioned in Group D alongside Curaçao, Guyana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Anguilla. All preliminary matches will be contested at the Estadio Rinaldo Jean Francisca in Willemstad, Curaçao, between February 23 and March 4, 2026. Haiti’s campaign begins on February 26 against Anguilla, followed by fixtures against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (February 28), Guyana (March 2), and concludes with a crucial encounter against Curaçao on March 4.

    Team preparation has already commenced with a comprehensive scouting initiative targeting emerging talent within the Haitian Football League (LHF). The selected squad will undergo intensive training to secure top position in their group, which would advance them to the championship qualifiers scheduled for July 25 to August 9, 2026, where they will compete for placement in FIFA’s premier international competitions.

  • FLASH : Address to the Nation by Prime Minister Fils-Aimé (video)

    FLASH : Address to the Nation by Prime Minister Fils-Aimé (video)

    In a momentous national address marking Haiti’s constitutional milestone on February 7th, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé delivered a solemn declaration of the nation’s path forward following the conclusion of the Presidential Transitional Council’s mandate. The Prime Minister’s speech, characterized by its grave tone and profound sense of national duty, emphasized February 7th as symbolizing republican continuity, popular sovereignty, and the Haitian people’s unwavering aspiration for freedom, security, and dignity.

    While acknowledging the efforts and sacrifices made by the CPT members during nearly two years of extreme complexity, Fils-Aimé conceded that the transition process remains incomplete. Persistent insecurity and the inability to conduct elections within originally scheduled timelines have hampered progress. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister resolutely affirmed that Haiti will not yield to discouragement or internal division, maintaining that the transition’s core mission remains unchanged: restoring security, organizing free and democratic elections, and transferring power to legitimately elected leadership.

    The address contained strong commitments to combatting the nation’s security crisis, with Fils-Aimé promising relentless pursuit of armed gangs and their accomplices. The Haitian National Police and Armed Forces will operate with intensified coordination and continuity until complete territorial control is reestablished and peace returns to communities. Recognizing widespread social suffering, the government will immediately implement an emergency humanitarian plan providing food assistance, healthcare, and shelter to vulnerable populations, asserting that security and dignity must advance together.

    Fils-Aimé issued a powerful appeal for national unity, inviting all sectors—political parties, civil society, private sector, religious leaders, artists, youth, women, farmers, and the diaspora—to transcend divisions and unite around a republican pact centered on security, elections, and economic recovery. The international community received both gratitude for existing support and a call for strengthened, coordinated commitment to Haiti’s stability and gang violence eradication.

    In a solemn pledge, the Prime Minister vowed to lead this decisive phase with truth, courage, firmness against terror, and humanity toward the suffering population, ensuring state impartiality and guaranteeing freedoms, justice, and electoral transparency. Concluding with a call for trust, courage, and civic vigilance, Fils-Aimé affirmed that a united people never loses its way, declaring: ‘The time for coming together has come. The State is reclaiming its place. Life must go on. Haiti will not perish.’

  • Politic : Transfer of power and speech by Laurent Saint-Cyr (video)

    Politic : Transfer of power and speech by Laurent Saint-Cyr (video)

    Port-au-Prince, Haiti witnessed a significant political transition on February 7, 2026, as the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) formally concluded its mandate in a ceremony at the Villa d’Accueil. Outgoing President and Council Coordinator Laurent Saint-Cyr officially transferred authority to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, adhering to the constitutional provisions outlined in the CPT-establishing decree while emphasizing the importance of governmental continuity.

    The transfer ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials including government ministers, the Director General of Police, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, representatives from the Anti-Gang Force, and members of the diplomatic corps, underscoring the event’s significance in Haiti’s political landscape.

    In his farewell address, Saint-Cyr characterized February 7th as a day of reflection and learning, acknowledging that Haiti’s ongoing governance crisis stems from multiple complex factors. He described the CPT’s mandate as an exceptionally challenging undertaking, noting that promised resources and support essential for fulfilling their mission failed to materialize. Despite these challenges, Saint-Cyr clarified that Haiti would not experience an institutional void following the CPT’s dissolution, as stipulated by the April 3rd Agreement. He confirmed that Prime Minister Fils-Aimé and the Council of Ministers would continue their work to stabilize the nation, with Marie Élisabeth Régine Joseph Haddadla, Secretary General of the Presidency, assuming responsibility for safeguarding the institution’s integrity.

    In response, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé expressed gratitude to the departing CPT members and announced his immediate plans to address the nation that evening. He further revealed intentions to convene an extraordinary cabinet meeting promptly to initiate governmental operations without delay, signaling a commitment to maintaining administrative momentum during this transitional phase.

  • U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 Qualifier : Haiti defeats Antigua and Barbuda [4-0]

    U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 Qualifier : Haiti defeats Antigua and Barbuda [4-0]

    In a commanding display of youth football prowess, Haiti’s U-17 national team secured a decisive 4-0 victory against Antigua and Barbuda during their CONCACAF World Cup qualifying match on February 7, 2026. The match, held at Guatemala City’s Cementos Prograso Stadium, showcased the growing talent within Haiti’s youth development program despite some tactical inconsistencies throughout the game.

    Under the guidance of Coach Kowsky Sainvil, who made only one strategic change to the starting lineup that previously defeated Grenada 5-1, the young Grenadiers demonstrated offensive efficiency. The scoring commenced early when Rolf Casillas K. Julien found the net in the 10th minute with a precise right-footed strike from the center of the box, expertly assisted by Jhon-Widy Belton.

    The Haitian advantage doubled merely six minutes later through an unfortunate own goal from Antigua and Barbuda defender Cody Richardson. While the first half concluded without additional scoring despite several missed opportunities, the Benna Boys mounted stronger defensive resistance after the interval.

    The breakthrough eventually came in the 76th minute when substitute Macenat Prophète, who had entered the match at halftime, extended Haiti’s lead with another clinical finish from the box’s center. Emerson Laïssé completed the scoring spectacle in the 90th minute, capitalizing on a well-executed corner kick to secure the comprehensive victory.

    Despite the impressive win, Haiti currently occupies second position in Group C behind Guatemala due to goal differential. Both teams maintain identical records of two victories, nine goals scored, and six points, but Guatemala’s flawless defensive record (zero goals conceded) compared to Haiti’s single conceded goal places them marginally ahead. The upcoming direct confrontation between Haiti and Guatemala on February 10, 2026, will determine group supremacy and qualification progression, with Haiti requiring victory to claim the top spot.