Colombian President Petro apologizes to Haiti for his compatriots’ role in Jovenel Moïse’s assassination amid controversial visit

By Danise Davide Lejustal & Juhakenson Blaise 

JACMEL — On Wednesday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro paid a historic visit to Jacmel in southeastern Haiti, where he offered a formal apology for the involvement of Colombian mercenaries in the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. This visit, which officials said aims to strengthen bilateral and historical ties between the two nations, was marked by solemn moments of reflection and symbolic gestures of cooperation despite the controversy and financial implications for a Haiti in crisis.

“I apologize because some white Colombians came here to kill the president of Haiti,” Petro said in his speech, saying Colombia wishes to draw closer to Haiti with a sincere heart and an open hand, not with the hands of assassins.

 “On behalf of the entire Colombian people, I tell you that we do not believe in this death propagated by these Colombians; we believe in life,” the Colombian president, who also struggles in the face of a deadly wave of violence between fighting guerrilla groups in his country, added.

Petro acknowledged the arrest of 17 Colombian mercenaries linked to the armed commando that raided Moïse’s residence on July 7, 2021. The Haitian president’s assassination sent shockwaves through Haiti and beyond, exacerbating the nation’s growing sociopolitical instability and deepening security crisis.

The timing of the visit has raised both eyebrows and expectations. Similar to Haiti, which has been ravaged by gang violence, Colombia is currently experiencing a violent upheaval after Petro, a former leftist guerrilla, suspended negotiations with rebels last week. According to a Miami Herald report, attacks from these violent groups have left at least 80 people dead and 18,000 displaced in Colombia’s Catatumbo region. Until his 6-hour delayed arrival in the coastal city of Haiti on the afternoon of Jan. 22, many were uncertain whether Petro, who has declared war on left-wing guerrillas amid this alarming wave of violence, would even make the trip.

The recent surge in violence in Colombia has heightened concerns about a potential return to an internal conflict that has resulted in over 9.5 million victims since the 1960s, according to the United Nations (UN), which issued a call for calm on Wednesday, Jan. 22. These clashes erupted in the northeast, in the Catatumbo region, highlighting the challenges of consolidating the peace agreement reached in 2016. The attacks are part of a broader pattern of violence among various armed groups competing for control over different regions of the country.

In Haiti, the difference now is that gangs have stopped fighting among themselves and have instead united under the banner “Viv Ansanm” to gain control over more territories, rendering the state seemingly powerless. They confront law enforcement, destroy public and private property, loot and kidnap, launch attacks on the population, kill, and force people to flee their homes. The presence of a UN-authorized multinational force led by Kenya since June has yet to help slow gang aggressions.

Additionally, despite the warm welcome, the visit sparked controversy, as it coincided with rumors about potential negotiations for releasing the accused Colombian mercenaries formally charged in Moise’s murder. Colombian media outlets reported that the Colombian families have been pressuring Petro’s government to secure their return. Joverlein Moïse, the late Haitian president’s eldest son, and others expressed concerns that justice might be delayed or denied in favor of diplomatic convenience. 

However, Jacques Ambroise, spokesperson for the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), said on Radio Magik 9 that the rumors were false and Petro supported the trial of the Colombians in Haiti.

“Mr. Petro asked Mr. Voltaire [CPT president] for the Colombians imprisoned in Haiti to be judged and for their sentences to be determined,” Ambroise said. “Gustavo Petro apologized for the harm caused to Haiti, despite rumors claiming that this cooperation is meant to secure the release of the Colombians implicated in the assassination of Jovenel Moïse.”

Still, these statements did not suffice to quash the rumors, as Haitian lawyer Ashley Jean-Baptiste pointed out. Speaking to The Haitian Times, Jean-Baptiste explained that the visit was not only about issuing an apology to the Haitian people for the assassination but also involved negotiations regarding the protection of the Colombians.

“I also see this visit as part of a nation’s commitment to ensure it does not abandon its citizens accused in another country,” Jean-Baptiste explained. “It’s probable that the discussions included the matter of the Colombians’ detention, and there may even be requests concerning their possible release.” 

Detained since after the killing of President Moïse, the Colombian mercenaries have appealed the indictment issued against them in February 2024 by Judge Walter W. Voltaire. A hearing on Jan. 20 at Haiti’s Court of Appeals was rescheduled for Jan. 27 due to the absence of two indicted high-profile former Haitian police officers, fugitive Dimitri Hérard and Jean Laguel Civil.

Petro’s visit was an expensive project for Haitians

Haitian authorities allocated 500 million gourdes, or over $3.8 million, to prepare for Petro’s visit. The funds went toward upgrading Jacmel Airport to accommodate 40-seat planes, renovating local infrastructure, mobilizing security personnel and logistics, and organizing receptions in the city known for its historical ties to Latin America’s liberation movements.

The millions spent on what appeared to be a symbolic visit raised eyebrows in Haiti. While many Haitians believe that the money was spent wisely, the country is grappling with a worsening humanitarian crisis fueled by rising gang violence since President Moïse’s death. This violence has claimed hundreds of lives and forced over 800,000 people to become displaced, with most of them residing in temporary shelters.

As for the Haitian government, the expenses were worth it. On top of what the visit will bring to Haiti regarding cooperation with Colombia, Jacmel, a vital tourist city neglected for some time, has received a much-needed face-lift.

Petro and Voltaire presided over a binational ministerial council meeting that was closed to the press. A video later released by the Colombian presidency depicted officials exchanging memorandums of understanding, reportedly addressing areas such as agriculture, food security, trade, defense and education. However, not only were reporters kept out of the room, but no copy of the signed documents was made available.

“This demonstrates the commitment of both nations to continue working together for their populations,” Petro said.

Voltaire expressed optimism about the agreements, noting that cooperation with Colombia could help Haiti rebuild its institutions, enhance security, and foster economic growth.

Honoring Haiti’s role in Colombia’s liberation

Petro’s visit to Jacmel also served to honor Haiti’s historical contribution to Colombia’s fight for independence. Alexandre Pétion, Haiti’s first president, provided arms, supplies and sanctuary to Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Miranda during their fight for the liberation of much of South America.

During the visit, Petro toured the historic residence where Bolívar stayed during his time in Jacmel and attended a ceremony at Place Simón Bolívar, where two busts of Bolívar and Pétion were unveiled.

“Haiti’s revolution showed the way to freedom for many peoples oppressed by slavery,” Petro said during a joint press conference with Voltaire. “Latin American nations must unite today to support one another and grow stronger through cooperation and solidarity.”

For Jacmel, Petro’s visit was an opportunity to restore the city’s reputation as a cultural and tourist hub. The renovations to the airport and port, as well as the influx of visitors, were seen as steps toward economic revival.

“This is an opportunity to put Jacmel back on the tourism map of the Americas,” Voltaire said.

Residents like Rémy Telfils, a local entrepreneur, also expressed hope for trade opportunities. “Colombia is a major coffee producer. This visit could open up exchanges and improve our processing techniques,” Telfils said.

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