PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — On Wednesday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro made a swift visit to Haiti aimed at fostering stronger relations with the country, which has been plagued by violence.
Petro’s agenda during the visit included meetings with local officials and discussions on possible collaborative initiatives focusing on agriculture, technology, and economic development, as outlined in an announcement from his office.
His arrival took place in the picturesque southern coastal city of Jacmel, avoiding the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, where the main international airport has seen a significant decline in commercial flights since gangs disrupted operations by opening fire on several airlines last November.
The Colombian leader’s visit coincides with ongoing outreach by Haiti’s prime minister and a transitional presidential council, who are seeking assistance from various nations while efforts are underway by Haitian police and a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenya to address the escalating gang violence in the region.
Petro’s office emphasized Colombia’s intention to support democracy and regional development during this critical juncture for Haiti’s stability.
In preparation for Petro’s trip, Haiti’s government allocated over $3.8 million towards revitalizing Jacmel’s deteriorating infrastructure, including enhancements to electricity supply, renovations of the town hall, and an extension of the local airport’s runway to accommodate Colombian military aircraft.
Prior to his time in Haiti, Petro engaged with officials in the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.
Petro is among the few heads of state to visit Haiti amid a rise in gang violence that has stirred calls for a U.N. peacekeeping mission from increasing factions in the international community. Leaders have pointed out the inadequacies of the current Kenyan-led mission in terms of funding and personnel.
Recent statistics from the U.N. indicate that over 5,600 individuals lost their lives in Haiti last year, marking a more than 20% increase compared to the previous year. In addition, the report noted over 2,200 injuries and nearly 1,500 kidnappings, as the rampant violence has resulted in the displacement of over a million people.
In a country where nearly two million inhabitants are teetering on the brink of starvation, Petro is set to return to Colombia on Thursday, where the aftermath of recent guerrilla attacks in the northeast has led to over 80 fatalities and mass displacements.
This visit follows closely on the heels of a court appearance by 17 former Colombian soldiers implicated in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, which has sparked speculation regarding their potential release.
However, a judge has postponed their hearing, leaving the timeline for any trial still uncertain.
