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  Haiti-USA relations: Tense meeting on the horizon between Marco Rubio and CPT President Fritz Alphonse Jean By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Français suit) Introduction: A New Era of American Hard Power As U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepares to meet Haitian Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) President Fritz Jean in Jamaica, the political atmosphere could hardly be more tense. Just days before the meeting, Rubio made it abundantly clear that the Biden-era diplomacy of quiet engagement and multilateralism is over. In a statement reflecting the aggressive posture of the Trump administration’s America First doctrine, Rubio declared: “We will continue to cancel the visas of those whose presence or activities have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for our country. And we will continue to use every legal means available to remove alien enemies.” [1] For Haiti—a country already suffocating under political instability, gang violence, and a collapsing...

  Haiti: An Uncertain Fils-Aimé Cabinet and the Dangers of Governance Dominated by a Disparaged Sector By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Francais suit) The recent change in leadership in Haiti, marked by the impeachment of Garry Conille in favor of Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, a businessman and unsuccessful candidate for the Senate, has raised serious concerns. This transition, although presented as a stabilization effort, reveals serious dangers related to the growing influence of certain sectors in Haitian political spheres. Influential voices, such as those of Samuel Madistin and Jacques Ted Saint-Dic, respectively of the “Fondasyon Je Klere” and the Montana Agreement Monitoring Office (BSA), express their skepticism. These astute observers believe that this elite stranglehold on power risks aggravating the current crisis instead of mitigating it [1]. Contested Governance and a Prime Minister Under Fire For Madistin and Saint-Dic, the choice of Fils-Aimé does not seem insignificant: i...

  Haiti: A Decisive Week for Political and Security Futures By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson (Le Français suit) This week, Haiti faces one of the most intense moments in its recent history, with political instability and rising insecurity reaching alarming levels. The capital, Port-au-Prince, is engulfed in uncontrollable violence, and armed gangs are gaining ground in Solino, now controlling nearly 80% of the neighborhood. A crucial meeting between the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) and Prime Minister Garry Conille is set for Tuesday, October 29, 2024, amidst a severe political crisis [1] . The outcome of this meeting could shape the future of governance and security in Haiti, but uncertainty remains about whether it will lead to meaningful action or deepen the current crisis. A Governance System in Disarray The CPT, tasked with guiding this period of transition, is itself mired in internal power struggles. Rumors are circulating about a potential cabinet reshuffle, b...

  Haiti’s Transition in Peril: Corruption Allegations Rock the CPT’s Credibility By Patrick Prézeau Stephenson   (le français suit) The recent allegations of bribery involving members of Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) have cast a shadow over the country's already fragile political landscape. As a body entrusted with guiding Haiti through a critical transition and preparing for elections, the CPT's legitimacy is paramount. The accusations that three of its members—Louis Gérald Gilles, Smith Augustin, and Emmanuel Vertilaire—allegedly demanded a bribe from Raoul Pierre-Louis, the chairman of the National Bank of Credit (BNC), threaten not only the council's credibility but also the broader international-backed effort to stabilize Haiti [1]. The Ethical Dilemma At the heart of this scandal is a fundamental ethical dilemma: how should the CPT, tasked with leading Haiti towards democracy, respond to these serious allegations? The response must be gr...