Haiti In Disarray

Admittedly, back in May of this year I dragged my feet in writing about Haiti and its disarray. With the benefit of hindsight, I acknowledge that my trepidation was rooted almost exclusively in my belief that things would ultimately get worse so I would wait until then to share my thoughts, I figured I had a little bit of time. In full disclosure, my views shared herein should be considered alongside the fact that in in late 2020 I was asked to assist in the Presidential election of a candidate who would run in opposition to President Jovenel, but even I did not expect what came later.

On July 7, 2021 President Jovenel Moise’s private home was “ambushed” by individuals professing to be part of the U.S. Government’s Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)--none of President Moise’s security harmed--but the First Lady of Haiti lay riddled with bullets and President Moise lay dead beside her, assassinated by who the Associated Press and a number of other news outlets claim to be Colombian nationals hired by a private security firm.

Never mind any of the blaring issues related to the assassination of President Moise right now…Yes I’m asking you to ignore the fact that none of President Moise’s security was shot at much less injured. I am asking you to ignore news reports that someone yelled “DEA” before initiating the home invasion of a head of state in a country where we are being asked to believe by news outlets and government officials that yelling “DEA” in the late night in a predominately Creole speaking upscale city in Haiti is the equivalent--for all intents of purposes--of yelling “DEA” in the middle of the night in say Detroit, Michigan. Suspend all desire to resolve these inconsistencies in advance of being able digest the implications of President Moise’s assination on the Haitian people and its government.

Prior to President Moise’s death, conservative reports estimate that more than 40% of Haiti’s citizens were food insecure, i would venture to believe this figure has not improved as a result of Moise's assassination. Combine food insecurity issues with the social unrest and Haiti becomes the quintessential powder-keg on the brink of civil war. As articulated by Chalmers Larose, “Internally, Haiti has been weakened for many years by a deep social and political breakdown, a deterioration of the economic and humanitarian situation and a generalized pattern of violence that has eroded the entire social and environmental fabric of the country.

When the health risks exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic are combined with the increased capacity of armed violence by organized gangs and the total collapse of Haiti’s armed forces, the result is an explosive cocktail waiting for a spark.”[1]

Perhaps it is not appropriate to point fingers at this moment and this is not an attempt to do just that, but is it unreasonable to ask what hand the U.S. government as well as the French government played in perpetuating circumstances that allowed for Haiti to exist in this state of perpetual instability? My question is not an attempt to absolve the Haitian government of responsibility but Haiti did not arrive at this place of civil instability and food insecurity on its own. Indisputably Haiti is in disarray, but when are we going to have an honest conversation on the “how” and “why”?

[1] The crisis in Haiti reflects the failure of the international community to stabilize the country - https://theconversation.com/the-crisis-in-haiti-reflects-the-failure-of-the-international-community-to-stabilize-the-country-164613