Haitians split on outlook of Trump era ties with the US

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Soon after Donald Trump’s victory Tuesday, Haitian government leaders were among the first to send congratulatory messages as heads of state flooded social media platforms with kudos. 

“We look forward to collaborating to promote peace and security in Haiti,” said Leslie Voltaire Voltaire,  president of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), via X.

Voltaire went on to share his hopes that this new U.S. administration will open the way for “ambitious economic cooperation” between the two countries. Others, however, expect nothing from Trump’s second term, saying this is an opportunity for Haitians to rebuild and take charge of their country.

“It’s now or never to take Haiti’s destiny into our own hands and realize the dream of our ancestors,” said Ulysse Jean Chenet, the General Coordinator of the Mouvement Point Final (MPF), a socio-political organization that believes both Democrat and Republican administrations have harmed Haiti.

“We cannot rely on the West to develop Haiti, and even less on the United States with a Haitian-phobic president like Donald Trump,” he said.

Hopes expressed for better collaboration 

For now, the congratulations notes continue to pour in with hopes of strengthening U.S. bonds.

TPC President-councilor Louis Gérald Gilles said he hopes Trump’s election marks the beginning of an era of enhanced collaboration focused on “restoring peace in Haiti and open the way to a future of shared prosperity between our nations.” adds Gilles.

Emmanuel Ménard — a radio-television station owner, philosopher, political party leader — said with the arrival of Donald Trump, “paradigms need to be changed” to consolidate the ties between the two nations linked by history and geography. 

“However, both states lack the mystique of a sincere relationship between the great economic and military power and a spiritual and cultural power, which would bring happiness to the Americas and the world,” says Ménard, while congratulating Trump. 

“America and Haiti first! Together and now,” he said.

To date, the United States remains the largest funder of the multinational security support mission (MSS) assisting the Haitian National Police in the fight against gang violence. It is also a key international actor, alongside the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), contributing to the search for a solution to Haiti’s governance and political crisis.

Between Oct. 28 and Nov. 3, in the midst of its electoral process, the U.S. delivered several materials toward the ongoing effort. Among these were armored personnel carriers (APCs), other forms of assistance, and law enforcement tools, according to the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) in a note issued on Nov. 4. 

With Trump’s reelection, concerns have been raised in Haiti about the potential loss of this U.S. assistance, particularly within the Initiative of Citizens Engaged Against Insecurity (ISAKE), a civil society group. 

“May this era mark a renewal for our two nations,” the organization said on X. “ISAKE sees this victory as an opportunity to build a strong partnership to promote lasting peace and progress in Haiti.”

Calls for Haitians to take charge of their country

MPF’s Chenet remains skeptical about the impact of Trump’s return on Haiti, asserting that American Democratic presidents have done more harm to Haiti than Republicans, and reminding that Trump has no regard for Haiti, having previously referred to it as a “shithole country.”

That’s why Trump’s re-election is the right moment to consider a new, prosperous, and emerging Haiti, Chenet and others believe. Starting with calls for solidarity and national reconciliation to rebuild Haiti, 220 years after its independence.

Economist Marc-Alain Boucicault, founder of the Banj Society, a business incubator, reminded Haitians and youth in particular that, ultimately, it is they who are truly in control of their future in Haiti.

“May this election strengthen the ties between Haiti and the United States and pave the way for ambitious economic cooperation. We look forward to collaborating to promote peace and security in Haiti.”

Leslie Voltaire, president of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) of Haiti.

“No one was coming to save you or make your dreams come true,” said Boucicault. “It will always be your responsibility to wake up everyday, work hard and make them happen.”

Communication consultant Yvenert Foeshter Joseph takes a more radical stance after Trump’s election, arguing that this Republican victory should prompt the Haitian government to audit its relations with the American Democratic camp. Joseph said there has been no progress in Haiti over the past 33 years of relations with the United States under Democratic leadership, except for “crumbs filled with hypocrisy and hatred, the embargo, the destruction of our rice…”

He said the country must learn from the past and sever its relations with the Clintons, organize the Haitian diaspora, strengthen border control and appoint a capable foreign minister to better represent the country’s interests internationally.

In line with the idea of Haiti’s reconstruction, education student Osma Joseph also sees Trump’s arrival at the White House as an opportunity to stop Haitian migration. 

“The current situation in Haiti is caused by illiterate men who have risen to the top of the country. They lack the basic understanding of how to run a country and are stateless,” says Joseph. 

“I urge young people abroad, including those in the United States, to come and contribute, bringing their expertise and know-how to the development of Haiti, so that the country can regain its historical greatness.”

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Haitians split on outlook of Trump era ties with the US was first posted on November 8, 2024 at 10:45 am.