Belgium (Brussels Morning Newspaper), In the heart of the Caribbean, a nation is quietly fracturing under the weight of a crisis that has been brewing for years, now spiraling into an acute state of chaos. Haiti, the first black republic in the world, a symbol of triumph against colonial rule, is grappling with a reality that seems far removed from its illustrious past of liberation. The streets of Port-au-Prince, once bustling with life, now narrate a harrowing story of survival amidst gang warfare, a failing state, and a humanitarian disaster that threatens to erase the progress of decades.
As of the latest reports, the capital city is a shadow of its former self. Descriptions of bodies lying abandoned on the streets, decaying under the tropical sun, are a stark sign of the lawlessness gripping the city. Families, with their lives packed in whatever they can carry, traverse the broken boulevards of Port-au-Prince, in search of safety or simply a respite from the violence that has uprooted more than ten thousand souls from their homes in just a few days.
The United Nations paints a grim picture of the crisis, with 1,193 people reported killed and 692 injured by gang violence since the year began. These gangs, now seemingly the de facto rulers of approximately 80% of the capital, sow fear and chaos and are unchallenged by an overwhelmed police force. A recent attack on the city’s port saw members of the gangs looting containers, leading to its closure and leaving vital supplies of food, medical equipment, and other essentials stranded. This comes at a time when Haiti’s health system, according to international observers, is crumbling apart.
In a desperate attempt to regain control, Finance Minister Michel Boisvert, standing in for the absent Prime Minister Ariel Henry, declared a one-month state of emergency and a night-time curfew. Yet, the move seems almost symbolic against the backdrop of recent events that have seen armed gangs loot banks, set government buildings ablaze, and storm police stations. The state itself appears to be disintegrating, with schools shuttered, businesses closed, and the police force largely invisible.
The situation is made even more dire by the absence of political leadership. Prime Minister Henry, unable to return to Haiti due to the gangs controlling the airport, finds himself in limbo, with his government calling for his resignation and threatening with civil war. The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 marked the beginning of what many feared would be Haiti’s descent into anarchy. The power vacuum left by his death has been filled by approximately 200 criminal gangs, each vying for control over territories and routes in a country that serves as a significant market for drugs and weapons.
This chaos not only threatens the stability of Haiti but also poses a significant risk to international trade routes passing by the island. The implications of a failed state right in the United States’ backyard are profound, affecting regional security and economic interests. Despite the urgency of the situation, the international response, particularly from the United States, has been tepid. Calls for a political transition by the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscore the gravity of the situation but stop short of offering a tangible solution.
Haiti’s current crisis is a culmination of centuries of exploitation, misrule, and international neglect. Since gaining independence in 1804, the country has struggled to establish a stable government structure. Its history is marred by external interventions, coups, and dictatorships, with the international community often playing a dubious role in its affairs. The United States’ occupation of Haiti from 1915 to 1934 is a case in point, as it was driven more by economic interests and strategic considerations than humanitarian concerns.
Today, the people of Haiti hold their breath, uncertain of what the future holds. The international community watches but is seemingly paralyzed by the complexity of the situation and the ghosts of past interventions. Yet, amid the despair, there are stories of resilience, of communities coming together to protect each other and provide for the most vulnerable. These glimmers of hope, however faint, are a reminder of the indomitable spirit of the Haitian people, who have faced adversity before and emerged, though scarred, still standing. The question now is not just how Haiti can navigate this latest crisis, but how the world can support a nation in dire need, ensuring that this time, help comes in the form of sustainable solutions rather than temporary fixes or exploitative interventions.
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