Voltaire drops bombshells, accuses ex-president of legalizing gangs while pleading for global support for Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE— During his European diplomatic tour, Leslie Voltaire, acting president of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), made several bold statements in a televised interview with TV5 Monde after meeting French President Emmanuel Macron. From France’s acknowledgment of its historical injustices against Haiti to the country’s volatile security situation and promises of international intervention, Voltaire outlined Haiti’s most pressing needs while addressing upcoming elections, gang control, and reparations for the country’s independence debt.

Voltaire’s appearance on TV5 Monde was not just another political interview——it was the capstone of his European tour, during which he met with key figures such as Pope Francis in the Vatican and French President Emmanuel Macron. During this revealing interview, Voltaire tackled major issues head-on. From France’s historical debt to Haiti to plans for elections and the deepening gang crisis, Voltaire delivered a series of headline-making statements that demand attention. 

Here are four bombshell takeaways from his interview.

1.  Macron acknowledges France’s colonial legacy in Haiti and promises a commitment statement on April 17 

During his interview on TV5 Monde Television Network, Voltaire said that French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged Haiti’s independence debt—often referred to as a “ransom”—as a historical injustice. Voltaire stated that Macron discussed reparations and the financial burden imposed on Haiti.

 “We didn’t discuss financial reparations but focused on principles and an official declaration,” Voltaire said. Despite Macron’s prior insults calling Haiti’s council members “idiots,” Voltaire said their dialogue remained constructive.

The estimated value of the independence debt stands at €525 million, though this figure was not explicitly mentioned in their discussions. Voltaire’s disclosure marks a significant moment in Haiti’s ongoing fight for international acknowledgment and accountability for its colonial history.

Voltaire stated that President Macron intends to make a landmark statement on April 17, marking 200 years since the enforcement of the Code Noir. This bicentennial will serve as a symbolic moment to recognize the oppressive laws that shaped Haiti’s colonial past.

Macron’s acknowledgment is part of a broader effort to confront France’s role in Haiti’s history. Voltaire believes this public recognition could open doors to a new era of collaboration between Haiti and France. 

2-Voltaire accuses former president Michel Martelly of enabling gang proliferation

In one of the most explosive moments of his interview, when asked about the growing power of gangs, which now control 85% of the capital, Voltaire accused former Haitian President Michel Martelly of enabling gang proliferation.

 “Martelly legalized criminals and used their support to govern,” he claimed, referencing the former leader’s controversial slogan, “legal bandit.” “Martelly, the artist, used this strategy to establish his power and create a militia that controls the country.”

Voltaire argued that Martelly’s administration armed and trained gangs, leading to their current dominance. He attributed the collapse of the Haitian state post-2010 earthquake as a key factor that allowed gangs to become independent entities. 

“These groups now control drug trafficking, weapons, and even human organ trafficking,” Voltaire stated.

International reports from the United States and the UN have corroborated allegations linking Martelly to gang activities, adding weight to Voltaire’s claims. His statements have sparked heated debates in Haiti, highlighting the country’s deep-seated governance and security issues.

While Voltaire was speaking, families were mourning seven people who were brutally killed inside a single house during a gang attack in Carrefour, near Kenscoff. Despite this violence, Voltaire told TV5 that progress is being made, with gangs losing ground in certain areas due to intensified efforts by law enforcement.

3- United States commits to funding Multinational Mission Support, MSS to fight gangs

During his interview, Voltaire addressed Haiti’s urgent need for international support in combating gang violence. On TV5 Monde, he confirmed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reassured him that the United States would continue financing the Kenya-led multinational mission against gangs.

Despite this commitment, Voltaire expressed concerns about the mission’s limited resources and personnel.

“I am knocking on the doors of those who love Haiti. The Pope loves Haiti and wants to help,”

 Leslie Voltaire, President of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, CPT

 “We have only a fraction of the promised 2,500 troops. We need more funding and equipment to make a significant impact,” he said. Voltaire also called for transforming the mission into a UN peacekeeping operation, a proposal currently blocked by China and Russia due to geopolitical tensions.

Voltaire’s advocacy for increased international intervention underscores the gravity of Haiti’s security challenges, with gangs controlling vast territories and disrupting daily life.

Adding depth to this issue, Voltaire discussed the broader objectives of his visit to the Vatican, where he met Pope Francis. According to Voltaire, the Pope is considering organizing an international meeting to address Haiti’s security crisis.

“I am knocking on the doors of those who love Haiti. The Pope loves Haiti and wants to help,” Voltaire said on January 25. “Trump called Haiti a ‘rat hole,’ I don’t think he cares about the country.”

Voltaire expressed his disappointment with U.S. policies under President Donald Trump’s first term, emphasizing that Trump’s administration halted aid programs, deported Haitian migrants, and blocked refugees. These actions, Voltaire argued, had a devastating impact on Haiti, whose economy heavily depends on remittances from its diaspora.

One of Voltaire’s key objectives during his European tour was to secure financial and logistical support for the multinational mission. He underlined the urgency of international cooperation to address Haiti’s deepening security and humanitarian crises.

4-Voltaire announces elections but admits some people will not be able to vote  

Addressing Haïti’s political future Voltaire announced that general elections are planned around Nov. 15 following a constitutional referendum in May. He acknowledged the security challenges noting that eight out of ten regions in the country are relatively stable, except for the West and Artibonite regions. 

“I think we can organize elections in eight regions that are free from gangs, as well as in Artibonite, where gangs still control a quarter of the territory, and in half of Port-au-Prince, ” he said.

Voltaire provided further details about the organizations of the general elections during an interview on the French TV networks France 24 et RF1. 

However, he admitted that millions of people may not be able to vote and suggested allowing the Haitian diaspora to participate to increase voter turnout.  

The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has already started the electoral process. On Jan. 15, it completed two days of recruitment for the Departmental Referendum Offices (BRD) and Communal Referendum Offices (BRC), receiving 783 applications.

The announcement of the elections and the referendum has caused strong reactions. Michel Pierre,  from the Political Movement “Ann Kanpe,” condemned the CPT for acting in bad faith, while Leaders of the December 21 Agreement, a group that helped establish the CPT emphasized that without security, the CPT will not be able to hold the referendum nor elections in 2025.  

The post Voltaire drops bombshells, accuses ex-president of legalizing gangs while pleading for global support for Haiti appeared first on The Haitian Times.

---

Voltaire drops bombshells, accuses ex-president of legalizing gangs while pleading for global support for Haiti was first posted on January 31, 2025 at 9:11 am.