Haiti Crisis Unites CARICOM Leaders in Jamaica

Leaders from Caribbean nations united at an emergency summit to address the crisis in Haiti. The meeting was held in Jamaica, initiated by the Caribbean bloc CARICOM. The summit aimed to find a political solution to the violent and chaotic situation in Haiti, where armed gangs have a strong hold over the capital, Port-au-Prince. The country is on the brink of a civil war and famine. The summit aimed to establish a transitional council in Haiti, led by a variety of societal figures.

Despite the harsh realities in Haiti, including bodies lying in the streets covered by reporters, the CARICOM leaders remained hopeful about reaching a political resolution. They were confident about finding a common path that would support a Haiti-directed solution. They urged all Haitians to join them for the greater good.

Gang violence in Haiti has been escalating, targeting acting President Ariel Henry. This escalating violence has led to the displacement of over 362,000 Haitians. The US has airlifted non-essential American staff from the embassy in Port-au-Prince and sent military aid to augment the security of the embassy and ensure mission operations continue safely.

While the leaders met, Haiti’s most powerful rebel leader, Jimmy Chérizier, expressed his views that if the international community continues its current course, it will plunge Haiti further into chaos

. The G9 Family and Allies leader asserts that it is up to Haitians to determine their country’s leadership and form of government but Jimmy Chérizier and the majority of the Haitian want people acting President Ariel Henry to resign. Henry is not a democratic elected leader. He imposed after the last president was assassinated. The rebel leader also called out the United States, Canada and Africa not to continue to interfere. Kenya is committed to send troops While Canadian companies such as Majescor Resources from Canada have already bought rights to prospect 173 square miles of the island for gold.

CARICOM has been advocating for a transitional government in Haiti for months, aligning with the protests in the country demanding Prime Minister Henry’s resignation. Despite these contingency plans, there remain concerns about finding a long-awaited solution. Barbados’ prime minister highlighted that up to 90% of proposals presented by Haitian stakeholders are similar, including the urgent need to establish a presidential council. This council would help identify a new President to form a government.

Since Haitian people rebel against the French slave traders, they were forced to pay France for them being taken as slaves from Africa. The Haitian slave rebellion began in August 22, 1791 and ended in 1804 with the independence of the former colony. The revolution resulted in the establishment of Haiti, the first independent Black state in the New World. 

The French government finally acknowledged the payment of 90 million francs in 1888 and over a period of about seventy years, Haiti paid 112 million francs to France, about $560 million in 2022. AMERICA ENFORCED THE HAITIAN DEBT! In 1922, the rest of Haiti's debt to France was moved to be paid to American investors. It took until 1947 – about 122 years – associated interest to the National City Bank of New York (now Citibank). Haiti’s Forced Payments to Enslavers Cost Economy $21 Billion,The New York Times Found.

 ARISTIDE FORCED OUT OF HAITI BY THE UNITED STATES! 
Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide claimed the United States had forced him to leave in what he described as a “coup d’etat” and “kidnapping.” “Aristide was a democratically elected president and the only good president Haiti had for many many decades. He aas exiled in Africa by the United States. 
Since then, Haiti had no hope of becoming a stable country.