PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Following the announcement of Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visit to southern Haiti, a significant financial investment soon followed. The Haitian government allocated over $3.8 million to enhance the airport in Jacmel by extending its runway, repairing local roads, renovating the town hall, and restoring electricity to an area that has been in darkness for the past three years. This sudden influx of funding and the swift repairs carried out in Jacmel took many residents by surprise, especially given the dire state of infrastructure across Haiti and the ongoing gang violence that has left over one million people displaced.
Antoine Jean-Baptiste, a 44-year-old unemployed electrician, expressed his frustration, questioning the government’s allocations. “While they cannot assist us from the camps or ensure our safety, suddenly they have 500 million gourdes to spend on temporary improvements?” he pondered. Living in a makeshift shelter in Port-au-Prince after gangs destroyed his neighborhood, he wondered about the costs associated with flying President Petro to Jacmel when travel to the city is perilous due to gang control over the primary access routes. “They cannot offer support to teachers or open hospitals. Was it really necessary to spend so much for a brief presidential visit?” Baptiste reflected.
President Petro arrived in Jacmel on Wednesday evening, where he was welcomed with a red carpet, security forces, and numerous Colombian flags lining the streets leading to a meeting with Haitian officials at a luxurious hotel. The visit was relatively short, lasting only about four hours.
Alfred Métellus, Haiti’s minister of economy and finance, highlighted that the runway expansion aims to revitalize Jacmel’s economy. He elaborated on efforts to renovate the local prison and mentioned that tourists are beginning to return to hotels in an area that once flourished with visitors. “Just a week ago, there was no activity at all,” he stated. “We see a potential for Haiti to bounce back.”
Despite the investment in Jacmel, residents of Port-au-Prince and other regions are left questioning when they will receive similar support, raising concerns about why their needs aren’t being prioritized. Mario Jean-Pierre, a 40-year-old resident forced into a makeshift shelter due to gang violence, expressed his discontent: “The 500 million gourdes could have been directed towards security efforts, strengthening our military, and enlisting dedicated young Haitians to serve their country — not squandered on a fleeting presidential visit.” He added, “Our children cannot attend school, we have no work, families are struggling to eat, and we lack basic necessities for survival here.”
In Jacmel, while some residents celebrated the return of electricity with cautious optimism, not everyone was able to reap the benefits of the sudden investment. Wood-jerry Gabriel, a local multimedia journalist, pointed out that many residents had been without power for three to five years, and the restoration wasn’t universal. He noted improvements, such as paved roads and a revitalized town hall, stating, “It felt like show business. I’m skeptical about its longevity.”
Additionally, concerns were raised about the paid staff responsible for sanitation in the city, as former local legislator Wilner Content reported that they had not received wages for months. Jean-Baptiste added to the frustration, remarking, “What kind of government lets its people suffer while trying to impress foreign nations?” He formerly worked in downtown Port-au-Prince until he lost his job due to violence at the hands of gangs. “When will things change for us and for others who are simply trying to survive in a country where over 5,600 lives were lost last year?” he questioned.
“Here’s hoping for some genuine change soon,” Jean-Pierre lamented.