Haiti’s Leader Issues Warning About Trump Policies
Trump Policies: Leslie Voltaire, President of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, has warned that recent decisions by the Trump administration—such as halting aid programs, deporting migrants, and blocking refugees—could have devastating effects on Haiti.
In an interview with The Associated Press in Rome, following a meeting with Pope Francis, Voltaire expressed grave concerns about the impact of losing U.S. humanitarian aid, which would worsen Haiti’s already precarious situation.
Voltaire highlighted several ongoing challenges, including the rapid deportation of thousands of Haitians each week from the Dominican Republic, the displacement of approximately 700,000 people due to gang violence, and widespread hunger. He noted that while organizations like the World Food Program and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are providing assistance, their efforts are insufficient.
Adding to the crisis, Voltaire stated that around 1.5 million Haitians live in the United States, including 150,000 who benefit from Temporary Protected Status (TPS). He warned that plans to deport these individuals would overwhelm Haiti, which is already struggling with its internal displacement crisis, now exceeding one million people according to a recent IOM report.
The root cause of this displacement is relentless gang violence, particularly in Port-au-Prince, which has caused a collapse of essential services and worsened food insecurity. Over 200,000 Haitians were forcibly returned to the country last year, mainly from the Dominican Republic.
Despite these challenges, Voltaire remains optimistic about holding general elections by November. He believes this is achievable if Haiti’s multinational police force is reinforced with thousands of additional officers. Currently, the force is led by Kenya, which has deployed over 600 officers, with additional contributions from Guatemala, El Salvador, and a pledge from Benin for 2,000 soldiers. However, the force still falls short of the 2,500 officers initially expected.
Haiti’s gang problem has worsened since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, with gangs now controlling 85% of the capital and expanding their influence into nearby areas. While some gangs have expressed interest in participating in the political process, Voltaire has ruled out that possibility.
According to the United Nations, over 5,600 people were killed in Haiti last year, a 20% increase compared to 2023. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently warned that without additional international support, gangs could overrun Port-au-Prince, resulting in a complete collapse of government authority.
Voltaire has called for greater global solidarity and asked Pope Francis to organize an international conference to support Haiti. The Vatican has expressed willingness to advocate for this initiative, with efforts to involve countries like Mexico and Canada in funding the conference. Voltaire is also set to meet French President Emmanuel Macron to seek additional support for Haiti.
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