Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 4 juin 2025

Petition demands justice after Haitian woman dies giving birth in fear of deportation

Lourdia Jean-Pierre died during a home birth in El Seibo, Dominican Republic, after avoiding a hospital out of fear of being deported. A petition is now calling for accountability.

by Edxon Francisque May. 23, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Overview:

Lourdia Jean-Pierre died during a home birth in El Seibo, Dominican Republic, after avoiding a hospital out of fear of being deported. A petition is now calling for accountability.

NEW YORK — More than 800 people have signed a petition condemning the Dominican government and demanding justice for Lourdia Jean-Pierre, a 32-year-old Haitian woman who died on May 9 during a home birth in El Seibo, Dominican Republic. Jean-Pierre reportedly avoided going to the hospital out of fear she would be deported under new immigration rules.

In her home, without medical staff, Jean-Pierre delivered her baby alone. As labor pains intensified through the early morning hours, her partner, Ronald Jean, urged her to seek hospital care. But she refused, afraid that hospital staff would report her to immigration authorities. She died before help could arrive.

Her death has sparked international condemnation and has brought renewed attention to the dangers undocumented Haitian migrants face in the Dominican Republic.

The petition, initiated by a human rights organization, seeks to gather one million signatures to demand accountability and justice for undocumented Haitian migrants in the Dominican Republic. 

“We say enough to a state and ruling elites that are femicidal and racist, who have made Black women—immigrants, Dominicans of Haitian descent, and Dominicans—a military target, the center of hate promotion, increased injustice, the application of unjustified and illegal force and violence, and an excuse to cover up the total absence of the rule of law,”  the petition states.

 “This is a regime sustained by racism, anti-Haitianism, classism, and patriarchy,”

the petition readsnormal

The petition shared in the Spanish language also includes details of what allegedly occurred after Jean-Pierre’s death. It claims that Dominican police detained her partner and newborn child, handing them over to immigration agents. Authorities then allegedly sealed the home with Jean-Pierre’s body inside, barring access. No medical examiner came to certify the death. It was neighbors, the petition says, who documented the scene in a video and helped arrange a burial, despite fear of retaliation.

In the last two months, mass expulsions of Haitian migrant women—some in labor, pregnant, or with newborns—have escalated under new immigration policies introduced by Dominican President Luis Abinader. A recently enforced hospital directive now requires patients to present identification, proof of address, and a work letter before receiving care—effectively denying medical services to many undocumented migrants.

“We denounce these actions to the international community for their knowledge and action, given the fascist regime and deprivation of rights prevailing in the Dominican Republic, sustained by racism, anti-Haitianism, classism, and patriarchy. A regime in which the three branches of the state act in unison, ” the petition further states.

As of May 23, the petition has garnered 811 signatures and continues to seek broader support. Advocacy groups, human rights activists, and professors from Haiti, Colombia, Guatemala, Cuba, and other Latin American countries have signed the petition, highlighting the international concern over the treatment of Haitian migrants in the Dominican Republic.

Jean-Pierre leaves behind four children—two of them still in Haiti—and a newborn, now in the care of a relative in the nearby town of Miches.

Cholera spreads in Haiti’s displacement camps, deepening humanitarian crisis

Cholera has become a silent epidemic in Haiti, with nearly 1,300 suspected cases, including nine confirmed and 19 deaths, reported in March 2025. Yet, this hasn’t made headlines or triggered emergency alerts from the authorities.

by Juhakenson Blaise May. 19, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

A patient being transferred after receiving care at La Paix University Hospital, in Delmas 33, Port-au-Prince, on November 8, 2024. Photo by Dieugo André for The Haitian Times.

Overview:

Cholera is resurging across Haiti, with 1,298 suspected cases, nine confirmed and 19 deaths reported from the beginning of the year through March 2025. The disease, which reemerged in 2022 after being eliminated in 2019, is spreading in both urban and rural areas, particularly affecting displacement camps due to gang violence. The newly detected cases in 2025 highlight the urgent need for clean water and medical care amid a collapsing healthcare system.

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Concern is mounting at the Bois-Verna displacement camp in Port-au-Prince after two children showed symptoms of chronic diarrhea on May 12. While not confirmed as cholera, the cases have heightened fears following four reported infections in April. Those patients were initially rushed to the overwhelmed Hôpital La Paix, which failed to provide adequate care, before being transferred to a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital on Delmas 33. Despite these warning signs, residents say authorities have yet to take rapid response measures to contain a potential outbreak.

“After the families informed us of these cases, the threat remains because no decontamination session has taken place in the camp,” Jhonny Élysée, president of the Bois-Verna camp committee, told The Haitian Times. 

“We lack the materials to carry out the cleaning. Where we live, we are exposed to all kinds of diseases.”

Health risks are rising in Haiti’s displacement camps, where more than a million people live in precarious conditions after fleeing gang violence. Overcrowded shelters and poor sanitation have left them vulnerable to diseases like cholera, skin infections, and persistent diarrhea. The collapse of the healthcare system—marked by the shutdown of more than 30 hospitals and clinics due to attacks—has only deepened the crisis.

“We haven’t received any mobile clinics or emergency centers from the state after these cases, even though the problems are numerous,” Élysée added.

A concerning surge of cholera in early 2025

As of March 29, Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) had reported 1,298 suspected cholera cases, including nine confirmed and 19 deaths—marking a sharp rise in infections. Initial cases surfaced March 20 in at least three IDP sites in Port-au-Prince, where sanitation is severely lacking. Surges followed in Cité Soleil and Arcahaie, according to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The fatality rate now stands at 1.65%, surpassing the emergency threshold.

We lack the materials to carry out the [proper] cleaning. Where we live, we are exposed to all kinds of diseases.

Jhonny Élysée, president of the Port-au-Prince Bois-Verna camp committeenormal

Even earlier, by early March, Doctors Without Borders had treated 148 patients at its Cité Soleil facility—including 19 new cases in a single day on March 6. In Bourdon, eight people died and several more were hospitalized in April, with residents linking the outbreak to the heavily polluted Bourdon ravine, their daily water source.

Outside the capital, rural areas are also seeing deadly spikes. In Fonds Baptiste, Arcahaie—40 miles north of Port-au-Prince—23 people died and over 80 were hospitalized in March. Locals opened a Cholera Treatment Center, but staff and resources remain scarce.

After a screening in November 2024, cholera cases were also reported in municipalities across Artibonite. A vaccination campaign launched Dec. 19 showed early success, but misinformation has slowed broader uptake.

Artibonite beats cholera vaccine goal despite misinformation

Over 227,000 residents received cholera vaccines in two months, surpassing initial goals, despite misinformation and logistical challenges, especially in Gonaves.

However, while the officials reported early successes, such as exceeding vaccination targets in certain areas, persuading all residents to get the vaccine remains a battle due to disinformation.

In a public statement in march, Doctors Without Borders emphasized the urgent need for universal access to safe drinking water and medical care to halt the spread of cholera. 

And with the rainy season underway, the risk of transmission is increasing, especially in displacement camps. “For example, people don’t have tarps to protect themselves from the rain, there is no lighting, and the sanitation areas are hazardous to our health,” Élysée noted.

National Center of Haitian Apostolate 

THIRD EDITION OF THE CHOIR COMPETITION CONCERT 

Welcome to the 3rd edition of the Haitian Choir Competition Concert of 2025 ! Choirs from several dioceses in Haiti and from diaspora communities are mobilizing to participate in the 3rd edition of the Haitian Choir Competition Concert on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at 8:00 PM. This competition concert is an opportunity for the National Center for the Haitian Apostolate Abroad, through Radio Télé-Solidarité, to express its deep gratitude to the distinguished members of our choirs who play a very important role in our churches. 

The participation of Haitian choirs in this 3rd edition of the Haitian Choir Competition Concert is a demonstration of solidarity and a great testimony of faith and love for our church. Haitian choirs from Haiti and the diaspora join hands and collaborate harmoniously in the work of evangelizing the people of God in Haiti and the diaspora. 

In this competition concert, we are very pleased to see Haitian Catholic Priests and Haitian Nuns who understand the need to sing with their choir. It is a sign of affection and encouragement for our choirs. The people of God are always very happy to see our priests and nuns so present in our spiritual gatherings. 

The Grand Choir of the Saint Louis Mirebalais Parish will truly be conspicuous by its absence at this 3rd edition of the Haitian Choirs Competition Concert. We will never forget that one of its members was murdered during the night of March 31, 2025, when malicious individuals invaded their town and massacred many members of the population. Our prayers are with our brothers and sisters of the Saint Louis Choir of Mirebalais, Reverend Father Romel Eustache, PhD, The Pastor of this parish, the other members of the clergy of this parish, the Congregation of the Little Sisters of Saint Theresa, and the valiant people of Mirebalais during this difficult time. The Saint Louis Choir had begun rehearsals to participate with us in this third edition and was the second-place winner in the second edition of the Haitian Choir Competition Concert of 2024. 

 The great choir of the Notre Dame du Rosaire parish of Croix-des-Bouquets will be present at this third edition of the choir concert. We are aware of the difficult situation in which the Commune of Croix-des-Bouquets is currently experiencing. The Grande Choir Notre Dame Du Rosaire de la Croix-des-Bouquets was 3rd in the 2nd Concert-Competition of December 2024 and I have to add that she was also present in the last two concerts and she will be with us again. It is truly a great testimony of faith, hope and solidarity. The choir of the Lycée Jacques 1er de la Croix-des-Bouquets is also participating. A big thank you to the Director of the Lycée Jacques 1er de la Croix-des-Bouquets, Professor Jérémie Joseph who did everything in his power to facilitate the participation of the students of the Lycée Jacques 1er to participate in this Concert-Competition.

Last year, His Excellency The Most Reverend Jean Désinord, Bishop of the Diocese of Hinche, was present with us at the first edition. He also opened the concert with a memorable prayer of thanksgiving and his blessing. He will be with us again if his episcopal visitation schedule allows him the opportunity. The presence of Monsignor Désinord among us always brings joy and comfort. Thank you! 

 We will also have the privilege of welcoming His Excellency The Most Reverend Joseph Gontrand Decoste SJ, Bishop of the Diocese of Jérémie and Father of the Year 2025-2026 of the National Center for the Haitian Apostolate Abroad. Despite a very busy weekend schedule, he will do everything in his power to be present and give us his blessing at the end of the evening. His Excellency The Most Reverend Joseph Gontrand Decoste SJ is known for his closeness to the people of God, and like a Good Shepherd, he understood the importance of always being with the People of God. 

The distinguished members of the Jury are committed to announcing the competition results in less than two weeks. They will all be present at the concert and will invite the choir members to the announcement of the results. Before the end of June, we will hold an evaluation meeting with the choir members, with the members of the Jury present. 

 Monsignor Pierre André Pierre, Executive Director of the National Center for the Haitian Apostolate Abroad, addressed the participants: "I would like to extend a warm welcome to the choirs that will perform in this third edition of the National Center for the Haitian Apostolate Abroad Competition Concert. You are making a remarkable contribution to the liturgy of the Church." You express with simplicity and beauty, in language that touches our hearts, the mystery of God's love that saves his people. You help the people of God celebrate and commune with the divine. Just as the Apostle Paul invited the faithful who gather together in anticipation of the Lord's coming to sing psalms, hymns, and inspired canticles (Col 3:16), you remind us, following Saint Augustine, that "To sing well is to pray twice. In this world that degrades the dignity of God's children, we rejoice to walk together on the paths of hope that does not disappoint." 

Finally, we wish the participating choirs good luck and a big thank you for helping us keep the torch of solidarity among choirs burning among us. 

Brother Tob

Cap-Haïtien proves the doubters wrong with vibrant Haitian Flag Day parade | PHOTOS

Once seen as an unlikely host, the northern city embraced the moment, delivering a celebration filled with music, pride and national unity

by Onz Chéry May. 19, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Overview:

A series of images and videos from the national Haitian Flag Day parade in Cap-Haïtien on May 18, 2025.

CAP-HAÏTIEN — Just days before the national Haitian Flag Day parade, Cap-Haïtien’s town hall launched a flurry of preparations, cleaning the streets, painting curbs, and building spectator stands. Marching bands could be heard rehearsing throughout the city in the week or two leading up to May 18, filling the air with anticipation.

Many residents doubted Cap-Haïtien’s ability to host the flagship celebration, with some convinced the city would fall short. The northern city was tapped to host the national parade after officials deemed Arcahaie, its traditional location, too dangerous due to persistent gang violence in the Western Department.

But Cap-Haïtien delivered.

The city hosted an exhilarating Flag Day parade on Sunday, drawing larger crowds than in recent years. Traffic ground to a halt as revelers flooded the streets, reminiscent of the grand celebrations of the early 2000s. Revelers, many draped in Haitian flags, lined both sides of the parade route to watch fanfares and marching bands perform between them.

The marching bands electrified the crowd with the sound of their cheerful melody produced with drums, trumpets, trombones, and other instruments. Majorettes danced along the music under the cheers of an animated crowd. 

Similarly to the crowd, the number of marching bands also increased significantly from previous years. The band members sported elegant blue, red, black and white costumes as they marched down the road.

Relive some of the moments of Cap-Haïtien’s national Haitian Flag Day parade in those images.

Revelers, some adorned with Haitian flags, gazing at members of a marching band playing music during the Haitian Flag Day parade in Cap-Haïtien on May 18, 2025. Photo by Onz Chéry/ The Haitian Times

A trumpet player performing during the Haitian Flag Day parade in Cap-Haïtien on May 18, 2025. Photo by Onz Chéry/ The Haitian Times

A little girl sporting a dress made with the Haitian flag during a flag day activity in Cap-Haïtien on May 17, 2025. Photo by Onz Chéry/ The Haitian Times

Members of the crowd proudly wearing shirts, hats and scarves with the Haitian flag as design. Photo by Onz Chéry/ The Haitian TimesRevelers adorned in red and decorated with the Haitian flag during the Haitian Flag Day parade in Cap-Haïtien on May 18, 2025. Photo by Onz Chéry/ The Haitian Times

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 22 mai 2025

Aventura Library's Flag Day Celebration Literary Event

More than fifty people participated in the Haitian Flag Day celebration at the Aventura Library this last Saturday, May 17, 2025. The attending audience was well entertained by the many Haitian authors present at the auditorium. Gifted authors like Daniel Bayard, Patrick Louis, Margareth Papillon, Lyonel Gerdes, Alexandra Jeanty Leclerc, Mireille Sylvain-David, Irsa Vieux, Maryse Denis, Bito Dvid, and Jan Jak Stephen Alexis were at the scene each taking turns to talk about their books with the audience.

Live background music was provided by Ernst Registre, the maestro of Twoybajazz with Garry Metayer and Wolly Saint-Louis Jean as special guest singers at the celebration. Audience participation was quite noticeable through the dynamic Q&A exchanges from the crowd. The event was livestreaming by Harold. Patric Ellancy and Severe Kyrenios from Island T.V. were among the audience filming and interviewing the Haitian authors. In all, it was a successful Flag Day celebration at the Aventura Library.

Toussaint Louverture Cultural Center (TLCC) in the heart of Boston

 As we proudly welcome Haitian Heritage Month https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitian_Heritage_Month, we invite you to join us on Tuesday May 20th for the long-awaited Grand Opening of the Toussaint Louverture Cultural Center (TLCC), in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts.

Named in tribute to the life and legacy of Toussaint Louverture, the visionary leader of Haiti’s revolution (born on May 20, 1743), TLCC will celebrate Haitian heritage and the remarkable achievements of the first Black republic to gain its independence and abolish slavery. More than just a cultural center, TLCC will serve as a dynamic gateway to exploring and learning about Haiti’s extraordinary historical and cultural legacy, facilitate connections across communities, and celebrate all that Boston has to offer.

 On behalf of the TLCC Executive Committee, please join us, join the Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu, and the President of the Boston City Council Rutzhee Louijeune, and a host of special guests for this Grand Opening: Charlot Lucien.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM 131 Beverly Street, Lovejoy Wharf, Boston, MA (3 minutes walk from the North Station T Station  or TD Garden; steps away from Alcove Restaurant, 50 Lovejoy Wharf)

Mingle with fellow supporters of this historic milestone, explore vibrant art exhibitions, get a glimpse of Haiti’s rich history, and culture through some performances and presentations. We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with you. Be a part of history!

Haitian singer F-MACK sets sights on becoming Mexico’s ultimate showman

Fermilus Mackenson Fils Lenor moved to Mexico to pursue his music dreams. Now, he’s blending Haitian jazz, soul and R&B with Latin flair—and releasing his debut album.

by Annika Hom May. 14, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

F-MACK performing at Tonal in Mexico City on April 11, 2025. Photo by Annika Hom for The Haitian Times.

Overview:

In Mexico City, Haitian singer F-MACK is chasing a dream sparked by watching Selena as a kid in Port-au-Prince. Blending gospel, jazz, R&B and Latin sounds, he’s building a name with help from mentors, collaborators and fans. Featuring insights from engineers, musicians and cultural leaders, this story charts his rise from church choirs in Haiti to headlining stages across Mexico.

MEXICO CITY— When Fermilus Mackenson Fils Lenor watched the movie “Selena” as a child in Port-au-Prince, he knew he wanted to be an entertainer. One scene stayed with him: Jennifer Lopez, portraying the late Mexican-American icon Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, takes the stage at a packed Mexican festival early in her career. The crowd is skeptical at first, but as Selena begins to sing “Como La Flor,” she wins them over. “‘Como La Flor,’” the Haitian star sang softly from his Mexico City apartment while speaking with The Haitian Times. 

“I saw it and said, ‘I want to be that.’”

That childhood dream has taken shape in unexpected ways. Now 35, Lenor—known professionally as F-MACK —performs across Mexico, where he’s building a loyal audience with a distinct sound that fuses R&B, soul, gospel, funk and Caribbean influences. His debut album, Gatear— Spanish for “to crawl” is expected later this year.

“I was right about my dream,” F-MACK said. “I just needed to perfect it.”

F-MACK  is a Haitian voice that has been reshaped in Mexico.

He moved from Haiti to the Mexican state of Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave six years ago to study at the prestigious Centro de Estudios de Jazz at Universidad Veracruzana. He now lives in Mexico City and has performed at major festivals, including Bahidorá in Las Estacas and Remind GNP in Guadalajara.

Many of his songs seamlessly switch between English and Spanish; some earlier ones are in French and Haitian Creole. His extended play (EP) RENACIDO—Spanish for “reborn”—features two rising tracks and is part of what he calls his artistic evolution. “Now the baby is crawling,” he said of his album provisionally named Gatear, which will be released this year, continuing the metaphor.

I was right about my dream. And I just needed to perfect it.

Fermilus Mackenson Fils  “F-MACK” Lenornormal

The new album incorporates more Latin and rock elements but stays rooted in his signature soulful fusion. “My songs improve as I improve as an artist,” F-MACK said.

His collaborators also include Mexican musicians and writers. One crowd favorite, “A Huevo,” uses a slang term loosely meaning “let’s go!” to capture the spirit of F-MACK’s cultural crossover.

 “I just make a song, honestly. This is my Spanish, this is my English—do you like it?” F-MACK said.

From Port-au-Prince churches to the stage in Mexico

F-MACK grew up in a modest household in Port-au-Prince, where his mother owned a restaurant and his father worked in construction. His musical foundation came early—he was singing before he could talk, his mother said, and learned to harmonize with friends in the Haitian capital to Celine Dion ballads.

At 17, he joined a Christian choir after auditioning with Britney Spears and Mariah Carey songs. Gospel music taught him vocal discipline and showmanship.

When he was older, the maestro of the Haitian group Hallelujah Gospel discovered F-MACK during an event and told him to audition. It was a performance that even surprised him. 

“Suddenly, I was discovering I was special,” he said, recalling a breakthrough performance of “Jesus, You’re Everything to Me” at age 19.

After failing to get into Haiti’s École Nationale des Arts (ENARTS) in 2001, he tried again—and was accepted the next year to study classical music. That discipline would shape his professional path.

He wants to be a frontman. When he steps onto the stage, he becomes somebody else.

 Diego Zumaran, F-MACK’s sound engineer and production managernormal

In 2012, a bassist invited F-MACK to front a combo at the PAPJAZZ festival, Haiti’s annual jazz celebration gathering various global celebrities of the music world. There, he saw Haitian jazz singer Mélanie Jean Baptiste Charles perform a scat solo, and after connecting with her after the show, she gave him his first scat lesson. 

“I was in love with her [artistry]. I wanted to do what she was doing,” F-MACK said.

That same year, he met traditional musician Camil Meseguer Rioux of the Mexican band Sonex. Years later, F-MACK reached out, looking for a way to leave Haiti and expand his music career. Rioux welcomed him to Veracruz and introduced him to the jazz program that would change his life.

Rioux still remembers the first time he heard F-MACK sing. “He hit an incredibly high whistle note,” the founder of Sonex told The Haitian Times.

Open letter to the United Nations: Haitians need help now | Opinion

Daniel Jean-LouisMay 8, 2025 10:52

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Armed gangs continued to sow chaos in Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince. More than 60,000 Haitians have been displaced in the past month. Jounny Fils-Aime Johnny Fils-Aime

The simmering conflict between gangs and the Haitian police last month boiled over into the streets of Kenscoff, a mountainous town southeast of Port-au-Prince known for its cool climate, vibrant agriculture and close-knit communities. Long a peaceful, highland retreat, Kenscoff is now the latest front in Haiti’s escalating crisis.

Early on Sunday, April 20, gangs ambushed a police vehicle, killing four officers. Two wounded survivors were rushed to Fermathe Hospital, run by the Baptist Haiti Mission (BHM), which has served the region since 1955, providing not only medical care but a critical community lifeline.

I currently serve as president of BHM, where I oversee the hospital and our scholarship program, which this year is educating 32,000 children — mostly from poor, rural families with few other options for formal schooling.

By late Sunday morning, gunfire reached the BHM campus. I feared the gangs might set the facility on fire, as has happened at other hospitals. We are the only care center in the region and one of the few still functioning in the country.

With no other recourse, I turned to social media. I posted an open letter on X addressed to the Transitional Presidential Council, Haiti’s de facto government. The post was widely reshared and, remarkably, helped spur action.

By Monday, the Haitian National Police had regained control of Fermathe and restored a fragile peace — at least for now.

That same Monday, the United Nations Security Council held its latest briefing on Haiti. Watching it felt like observing a roomful of doctors debate treatment options while a patient bleeds out on the table.

According to the UN’s top official in Haiti, the country is nearing “total chaos.” Yet Security Council members fell back on familiar talking points: the United States’ expressed concern about the “significant financial burden” of intervention, while China criticized U.S. failures to properly enforce an arms embargo.

It’s striking how much the UN’s past mistakes in Haiti — most notably thedevastating cholera epidemic introduced by peacekeepers — have stifled its will to act. Rather than risk repeating errors, they’ve chosen to do nothing.

So they debate while Haiti burns. Meanwhile, more people die.

Sometimes I wonder whether the world simply doesn’t understand how bad things have gotten, or if they’ve just stopped paying attention.

In the absence of law, gang atrocities have escalated beyond words. The horrors I’ve seen and heard defy expression. Every day of inaction allows further collapse — and makes future solutions more difficult and far more costly.

The time for discussion ended long ago. What Haiti needs now is action: The Security Council must authorize a new peacekeeping mission. At minimum, it should approve a UN Support Office to bolster the existing Multinational Security Support Mission.

At other times, I wonder if people do understand — but feel too overwhelmed to care. Maybe we’ve lost sight of what we’re actually fighting for.

I’m calling for intervention because I want my students to go to school safely and to dream freely.

Despite decades of instability and a collapsed state, many Haitian children still make it to class. We could get more of them to school tomorrow — if the police had the support to push the gangs back.

Life continues, even in chaos.

Parents still wash and press their kids’ uniforms. Older siblings guide younger ones across war-torn neighborhoods. Students still line up at the bell. They still say grace. They still wipe down their lunch tables. They still smile. They still hope.

They don’t need a perfect UN mission. They don’t need foreign saviors. They just need space to grow.

What Haiti’s youth need is enough security to go to school, to work, to vote.

The United Nations was founded on a promise —to protect life despite conflict, to safeguard the vulnerable, to uphold human dignity.

It was a promise to protect children. To protect the future.

I still believe Haiti’s children can rebuild their nation. The question is whether the world will help them do it.

Can the UN keep its promise?

Daniel Jean-Louis is president of the Baptist Haiti Mission.

France Acknowledges Devastating Effect of Debt Imposed on Haiti for Freedom

After two centuries, a contrite tone from President Emmanuel Macron, though no talk of reparations for French actions that thwarted the development of its former colony.

Published April 17, 2025Updated April 19, 2025

President Emmanuel Macron of France said on Thursday that it was time to “recognize the truth of history,” 200 years after King Charles X recognized the independence of Haiti but demanded that its former French colonists be paid an enormous sum for that freedom.

As a result, Haiti became the only country in the world where the descendants of enslaved people were forced over generations to compensate the descendants of their former colonial masters.

“This decision placed a price on the freedom of a young nation, which was thus confronted, from the moment of its constitution, with the unjust force of history,” President Emmanuel Macron of France declared.

Mr. Macron, who became president in 2017 and had not previously addressed in public the question of the debt, called for the establishment of a joint French-Haitian commission of historians to examine “two centuries of history, including the impact of the 1825 indemnity on Haiti.”

The commission will be led by Yves Saint-Geours, a French historian and diplomat, and Gusti-Klara Gaillard Pourchet, a Haitian scholar living in France.

“Once this necessary and essential work has been completed, the commission will submit recommendations to both governments with a view to learning lessons and building a more peaceful future,” Mr. Macron said.

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Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 19 mai 2025

Robert Prevost, of Haitian descent, becomes first US pope, takes name Leo XIV

Haitian Cardinal Chibly Langlois plays historic role in electing new pontiff

by The Haitian Times May. 08, 2025

Overview:

Robert Prevost, a Chicago native and longtime missionary in Peru, has been elected as the first pope from the United States, choosing the name Leo XIV. Among the electors was Haitian Cardinal Chibly Langlois, who made history as Haiti’s first cardinal to participate in the sacred conclave.

By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press | Additional reporting and editing by The Haitian Times

Update, May 9, 2025: The brother of Pope Leo XIV confirmed to The New York Times that Pope Leo XIV has Haitian ancestry through his maternal grandfather, who listed “Hayti” as his birthplace in U.S. census records. The pope’s family descends from Creole people of color in New Orleans, part of a broader migration that helped shape Black Chicago—where the pope was born in 1955. Joseph Martinez—Leo XIV’s grandfather—was born in Haiti and married in New Orleans in 1887.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Robert Prevost, a missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first pope from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Prevost, a 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order, took the name Leo XIV.

In his first words as Pope Francis’ successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo said, “Peace be with you,” and emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization. He wore the traditional red cape of the papacy — a cape that Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013.

Prevost had been a leading candidate for the papacy, but there had long been a taboo against a U.S. pope, given the country’s geopolitical power already wielded in the secular sphere. But Prevost, a Chicago native, was seemingly eligible because he’s also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.

Pope Francis clearly had his eye on Prevost and in many ways saw him as his heir apparent. He brought Prevost to the Vatican in 2023 to serve as the powerful head of the office that vets bishop nominations from around the world, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. And in January he elevated him into the senior ranks of cardinals. As a result, Prevost had a prominence going into the conclave that few other cardinals had.

The crowd in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers when white smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the conclave. Priests made the sign of the cross and nuns wept as the crowd shouted “Viva il papa!”

Waving flags from around the world, tens of thousands of people waited to learn who had won and were shocked when an hour later, the senior cardinal deacon appeared on the loggia and said “Habemus Papam!” and announced the winner was Prevost.

He spoke to the crowd in Italian and Spanish, but not English.

The last pope to take the name Leo was Leo XIII, an Italian who led the church from 1878 to 1903. That Leo softened the church’s confrontational stance toward modernity, especially science and politics and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought, most famously with his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed workers’ rights and capitalism.

Haitian participation in a historic conclave

Among those casting ballots to elect Leo XIV was Haitian Cardinal Chibly Langlois, bishop of Les Cayes and the first Haitian ever to take part in a papal conclave. His participation marked a historic milestone for Haiti, offering the Caribbean nation a voice in one of the Church’s most sacred decisions.

Langlois’ vote underscored the increasing representation of leaders from marginalized and underrepresented regions, including those like Haiti, which has long faced political instability and natural disasters. His role reflects the Church’s ongoing commitment to elevating voices from the global south, a shift championed by Pope Francis.

Pope Leo XIV’s election came on the second day of the conclave, which began after the death of Pope Francis last month. The conclave process followed centuries-old traditions, with cardinals writing their selections on paper ballots and sealing them in an urn before the votes were tallied.

Prevost succeeds Pope Francis, who was widely known for his efforts to modernize the Church and amplify the voices of poorer nations. Observers now watch closely to see how Leo XIV will continue or diverge from that path.

 April: Month of Haitian Choirs

https://youtu.be/VPUI3wRSUu0?si=BIsiNaRBp_Xdb3sE

The staff of the Weekly Bulletin of the National Center for the Haitian Apostolate Abroad has declared April the Month of Haitian Choirs. This is an opportunity for all of us to thank and recognize the tremendous work of our choir members within the Church and in our faith communities. Our choirs are truly a source of hope and a gold mine for our Church.

The ministry of our choir members helps many people develop a good relationship with God. Singing is always praying twice. We are often delighted to participate in a Eucharistic celebration with the fine performance of a good choir. Sometimes we arrive at Mass feeling very sad, tired, and with family problems and unpaid bills. A choir's song can help us clear our minds and place ourselves completely in God's hands.

The month of Haitian choirs will end  for us at Radio Télé Solidarité, which will run until May 25, 2025, the date of Haitian Mother's Day and the Haitian choir concert. Many of our choirs  are beginning to mobilize for this great evening of recognition and solidarity among choirs. The Radio Télé Solidarité studio is open for broadcasts with members of our choirs. Some of them are already over 40 years of existence  and play a very important role in our faith communities. We urge them to always be lights and role models within our faith communities.

Yes! It is good to express our joy and gratitude to God through song. This is one of the reasons why we will be holding a major concert with Haitian choirs on May 25th. Choirs from the 10 dioceses of Haiti and the diaspora are invited to sing for the glory of God in this concert of unity and solidarity among Haitian choirs. Finally, allow me to conclude with this verse from the prophet Isaiah:

 "Give thanks to the Lord, and call upon him; make known his deeds among the peoples; make mention of his great name! Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things; let them be known throughout all the earth!" (Isaiah 12:4-5)

 Brother Tob

Phone: 631-334-7494

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IDB boosts Cap-Haïtien hospital funding to $100M amid Haiti’s healthcare collapse

During his visit to the northern city on May 7, the Inter-American Bank’s president, Ilan Goldfajn, also signed an agreement to revise the city’s $125 million water and facelift program amid questions over management and accountability

by Onz Chéry May. 09, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Overview:

During his visit to Cap-Haïtien, the capital city of the Northern Department, Inter-American Development Bank President Ilan Goldfajn announced Tuesday an increase in funding for the renovation and expansion of the city’s Justinien University Hospital from $85 to $100 million. Additionally, Goldfajn agreed to revisit a $125 million water, sanitation and hygiene project.

CAP-HAÏTIEN — The president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Ilan Goldfajn, announced on Tuesday an increase in funds for the renovation and expansion project of Cap-Haïtien’s Justinien University Hospital from $85 million to $100 million. Goldfajn, invited by the Haitian government seeking a greater financial boost from the multinational bank, made this commitment on behalf of the institution during his four-day stay in Cap-Haïtien. The head of the IDB also signed an agreement for a revised $125 million program focused on water supply and improving sanitation and hygiene conditions in the city.

“We’re happy to announce that we’re increasing the program’s budget from $85 to $100 million to strengthen health services in Haiti’s North,” Goldfajn posted on X about the funding for Justinien University Hospital’s (HUJ, per its French acronym) renovation and expansion project. 

“There are challenges, but we are partnering for the benefit of the people of Haiti.” 

The project’s first phase will consist of revamping the hospital’s emergency and surgical rooms. Then, the officials will proceed with renovating and expanding other areas. Goldfajn added that the IDB is also helping provide healthcare services for over a million Haitians.

Founded in 1890, the JUH is one of the oldest and largest hospitals in Haiti. However, this center, which welcomes hundreds of medical students for internships annually, is nearly devoid of resources. Poor working conditions, inadequate management, a lack of equipment and a series of strikes in recent years have destabilized the hospital and endangered patients’ health. Often, healthcare workers do not treat patients unless they pay for medical supplies upfront. Patients frequently crowd into the hospital, indicating a need for more space. 

Additionally, the hospital has only two restrooms, which are typically unsanitary, leading patients or their family members to urinate in the courtyard. Despite its importance, healthcare remains one of the many neglected sectors in Haiti’s dysfunctional system. 

Therefore, increasing funding for Cap-Haïtien’s main public hospital is a positive step forward, some residents say. However, Haitians fear that the project will either remain unfinished or fail to meet expectations, as seen in the past. 

For instance, despite a $35 million project financed by IDB to address the waste management problem in Cap-Haïtien, the issue remains largely unresolved. The IDB has also funded a drainage project in Cap-Haïtien, yet the city floods anytime it rains.

“Is it me, or do these things never start, finish, or just disappear after a while? “Or am I tripping?” Pierre Paul, a Detroit resident, said on May 7 about IDB’s projects in Haiti. 

IDB projects in Haiti worth $670 million over five years

Although many Haitians are dissatisfied with IDB’s work in Haiti, the bank has invested over $670 million in projects in the country over the past five years. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, it has proposed $243 million in grant resources. Approximately $140 million of this fund is designated for a youth skills program to address the gang recruitment problem and for rehabilitating the emergency room and surgical ward at the Cap-Haïtien hospital, according to a press releasefrom the financial institution.

As for the water, sanitation and hygiene program, Goldfajn stated that the goal is to bring clean water to over 130,000 households and strengthen essential services in both urban and rural areas in the north.

“Quite an impact!” Goldfrajn said. “We are adapting our work to Haiti’s fragile context and improving delivery.”

Goldfrajn has yet to provide further details on the hospital’s renovation and expansion, nor the region’s other projects financed by IDB. The institution has not replied to The Haitian Times’ interview request with Goldfrajn. 

Goldfrajn landed in Cap-Haïtien on May 7, and as of May 8, has visited Justinien University Hospital and École Mère Anne-Marie— a Catholic school where IDB is helping provide hot meals for students alongside the World Food Program (WFP). The IDB president also visited Caracol and Codevi, two industrial parks supported by the bank. He will visit the Hugo Chavez Cap-Haïtien International Airport to explore a possible expansion project there as well.

Providing jobs from the projects

Goldfajn also hopes the projects will help create jobs in Cap-Haïtien. On May 7, he discussed job creation with Transitional Presidential Council President Fritz Alphonse Jean and Finance Minister Alfred Metellus.

“Jobs mean more than income—they bring stability and strengthen communities,” Goldfajn remarked on his social media post. “This is why we are focused on enabling conditions: energy, skills, connectivity, and infrastructure. The IDB is honored to help bridge public policy and private investment to shape a recovery plan that delivers for Haitians.”

This marks the first time a multilateral development bank president has visited Haiti in years. According to the IDB press release, Goldfajn traveled to Haiti after the Haitian government invited him.

As hospitals close, ancestral leaf remedies sustain health and tradition in Haiti’s northeast

Rural Haitians turn to ancestral remedies, fueling a thriving trade that keeps traditional healing alive

by Edxon Francisque May. 06, 2025

THE HAITIAN TIMES

Overview:

In Haiti, the trade in medicinal and sexual endurance leaves is a centuries-old practice, deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of the country. It meets both the health needs of the populations, who use these natural remedies to treat various problems, and their economic needs, by providing a source of income to many families.

FORT-LIBERTE—Madame Georges ‘Madan Jòj’ Joseph gathers a handful of fresh green leaves, inhaling their sharp, earthy scent, before gently returning them to the pile in front of her at the Ouanaminthe Communal Market, where she sits daily. In her hometown of Les Perches, about 18 miles from Ouanaminthe,  in Haiti’s northeastern region, the knowledge of using medicinal plants is more than tradition—it’s a way of life. ‘Madan Jòj’ is part of a generation that carries forward a cultural legacy built on the healing power of leaves. But she is only one among many.

In the open market, ‘Madan Jòj’ sits on her “ti chèz ba” creole for a low chair in a designated space for leaves known for their medicinal healing properties. Before her, a variety of leaves are laid out, with a constant flow of people coming and going.

“Most women come here to buy leaves for treating many ailments like cysts, fibroids, asthma and men buy leaves to treat men’s problems,” Joseph said, explaining how a lot of their customers can’t afford to pay for clinics or hospitals in Ouanaminthe. “And with all the hospitals closing, people are turning more and more to leaf remedies.”

“A person who knows and trades in medicinal and sexual endurance leaves can meet the many needs of people”

Exavier Milius, a father of 12 children and a lover of the leaves.
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With Haiti’s limited formal healthcare system, “remèd fèy” has long served as a vital alternative. Families turn to these plants for everything from stomach aches to respiratory infections—and even for boosting sexual vitality. Over generations, communities have transformed this ancestral knowledge into a thriving trade.

The doktè fèy—Creole for “leaf doctor”—is a respected healer who selects, prepares, and advises on medicinal plants, known as remèd fèy, used to treat a variety of ailments. Often farmers themselves, they either grow the plants or source them locally to craft traditional remedies. In their communities, these healers are trusted figures, called upon at any hour to offer care and guidance.

Jonathan Joazard, 79, is one such healer, part of a long line of doktè fèy in the region. He has been giving such advice since his younger years. Although blind now, Joazard still plays a vital role in preserving these ancestral practices. Locals continue to visit him for advice and plant-based remedies, as he is a living link to generations of this knowledge in Fort-Libertè.

“For those who know plants well, it is our biggest pharmacy that can cure everything,” Joazard, a natural plant and leaf healer and trader in Fort-Liberté. 

Across the region, dozens of hands—from farmers to pickers and vendors to processors and consumers—sustain the ancient medicine guide drawn directly from the land. The trade in medicinal plants is a crucial part of Haiti’s local economy, particularly in rural areas where job opportunities are scarce. For families like Madan “Jòj’, the income from selling these plants not only enhances their livelihoods but also supports the preservation of biodiversity and traditional knowledge.

Times.

Ancestral knowledge as Haiti’s unofficial pharmacopoeia

These rural ‘doktè fèy’ practitioners tap into ancestral wisdom to treat a wide range of ailments, using nature as both their pharmacy and guide. Their practice combines knowledge of medicinal plants, traditional rituals, and a profound spiritual connection to the natural world. From physical issues like fever, pain, and headaches to emotional struggles such as grief, stress, and mental distress, they offer personalized care that acknowledges the unique complexity of each individual’s health.

“I think nature gives us everything we need to stay healthy,” says Exavier Milius, a medicinal leaf enthusiast and father of 12 children

Many plants are prized for enhancing sexual health. Remedies made with Zo devan, jouk li jou, and bwa kochon are especially popular for boosting libido and performance naturally.

“These plants are a blessing for men who don’t want to waste their money,” says Belony Christella. 

“These leaves are like natural diamonds. You just have to find them and prepare them to work their magic.”

Belijan Augustin, a leaf seller at the Ouanaminthe Communal Marketnormal

“They’re a kind of prevention for those entering old age, and for others who don’t want to rely on chemicals,” adds Phaïca, a 28-year-old woman who uses the leaf-based remedies to enhance her partner’s vitality.

Among the most commonly used medicinal plants in the northeast are those like Lyann mòl, kase sèk, lyann legliz, fèy kowosòl, and lamitye. These plants help maintain good health during winter and spring, particularly for women and children who face persistent coughs. 

“These leaves are like natural diamonds. You just have to find them and prepare them to work their magic,” says Belijan Augustin, a leaf seller at the Ouanaminthe communal market.

Healers use a variety of plants to treat common ailments, with specific remedies for different health issues. For instance, plants like Kou barik, Bwa ti gason, and safran help alleviate pain, especially for older women dealing with joint pain or stomach discomfort during colder months. Others, such as bwa savan, pwa kongo frize, and chòché, are used to combat infections, while plants like fèy lougarou are sought after for their ability to help regulate hypertension and balance blood pressure.

Herbal teas are commonly used to treat ailments ranging from digestive to respiratory issues. Medicinal oils, made by macerating leaves in vegetable oils, are applied for massages, skin conditions, or aromatherapy. Ointments, created by mixing plant extracts with a fatty base like shea butter, target skin irritations, burns, and joint pain. Bottles, made with plant extracts and alcohol like kleren lakay, kleren Saint Michel, or kleren Gran Nò, are used for conditions such as premature ejaculation or stomach pain in older women. 

The marketing of medicinal plants

The growing interest in natural remedies has led to a significant increase in the commercialization of medicinal plants. Local markets and street vendors offer a variety of plants, ranging from popular species like moringa, lemongrass, and ginger to more region-specific varieties. This popularity stems from the power of the tradition of natural medicine, passed down over generations.

“People are becoming more aware of the benefits of natural remedies, and we are taking advantage of the opportunities this creates for those of us who collect and sell these plants,” Joseph said. 

“Nowadays, when I buy 10,000 HT Gds or $ US 76 of leaves, it does not last a week. I have to purchase more,” she said.

Medicinal plant trade: A vital link in Haiti’s economy and health

The trade in medicinal plants is a crucial part of Haiti’s local economy, particularly in rural areas where job opportunities are scarce. It involves various key players. Local farmers, the backbone of this industry, are producers and harvesters; they are the healers. They do not just sell raw plants; many of them also specialize in processing plants to create products such as infusions to treat. These plants are then sold to vendors, middlemen or women, or street sellers, some of whom also serve as traditional healers. Though informal and unstructured, this trade plays a vital role in both the economy and the well-being of the communities.

One crucial link in the supply chain is the processor, who transforms raw plants into products like infusions, essential oils, and concentrated extracts. While processing methods may vary, they typically rely on traditional techniques that preserve the plants’ natural properties.

 “With the leaves, avocado seeds, coconut oil, and makristi oil, I prepare oils to promote hair growth,” says Cherlande Honoré, a young woman from Ouanaminthe who specializes in producing hair oils. 

“We believe in quality to ensure the effectiveness of our products,” Honoré adds. “That’s why we do everything by hand, without chemicals.”

Besides individuals, local businesses and cooperatives are also involved in the processing of leaves into herbal teas, oils, or ointments, selling to consumers who look after these products for their health needs. 

“With the profits I make from selling medicinal plants, I take care of my family, pay my children’s school fees, and pay the rent,” said “Madan Jòj”.

“A person who knows and trades in medicinal and sexual endurance leaves can meet the many needs of people,”  Milius said.

As economic hardships deepen and formal healthcare options continue to shrink, the enduring trade in medicinal plants offers more than just remedies—it offers resilience. For vendors like Madan Jòj and the generations to follow, each handful of leaves carries centuries of wisdom, a connection to the land, and the hope that through nature, communities will continue to heal and thrive, one leaf at a time.

Détails

Catégorie : What's up Little Haiti

Création : 10 mai 2025

Haitian woman dies while in ICE custody at Pompano Beach detention center | Breaking News

Marie Ange Blaise, 44, passed away April 25 at Broward Transitional Center; federal authorities investigating cause of death

by The Haitian Times Apr. 30, 2025

Marie Ange Blaise, a 44-year-old Haitian woman, died while in federal immigration custody in Florida. She was being held at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach. The cause of death has not been disclosed and remains under investigation.

Marie Ange Blaise, a 44-year-old Haitian national, died April 25 while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach, Florida, ICE announced on Thursday.

She was pronounced dead at 8:35 p.m. by medical staff at the facility. The cause of death is under investigation.

Blaise had entered the United States without admission or parole at an unknown time and location, according to ICE. She was first encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Feb. 12 at the Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, while trying to board a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Authorities issued Blaise a Notice of Expedited Removal the same day, citing her inadmissibility as an immigrant without a valid visa. Over the next two months, she was transferred multiple times between ICE facilities in Puerto Rico, Louisiana and finally Florida.

ICE officials said they notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility, as per policy. The Haitian Consulate in Miami was also informed via email, the agency said.

In accordance with congressional requirements, ICE said it will publicly release a full report on Blaise’s in-custody death within 90 days. A brief summary has been posted to the ICE public website.

Advocates have long raised concerns over the conditions and health care within ICE detention centers, particularly for Haitian migrants and asylum seekers. ICE has maintained that comprehensive medical, dental and mental health care is available to all people in its custody, including 24-hour emergency services.

USA : Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as Foreign Terrorist Organizations 

The United States remains committed to protecting our national security interests and dismantling violent criminal gangs terrorizing the Haitian people. 

Today, the Department of State announces the designation of Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). 

• Viv Ansanm is a group formed in September 2023 as a coalition of gangs through an alliance between the two main gang factions operating in Port-au-Prince, G-9 and G-Pép.
• The groups provide a unified platform for criminal groups to use violence to destabilize Haiti and quash actions aimed at restoring state control. Viv Ansanm has launched coordinated attacks on critical infrastructure in Haiti, including prisons, government buildings, and Haiti’s main airport in Port-au-Prince as part of a campaign that, among other things, forced the resignation of former Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
• Gran Grif is the largest gang in Haiti’s Artibonite department, a region that is home to much of the country’s rice fields. Since 2022, Gran Grif has been responsible for 80 percent of civilian death reports in Artibonite. Gran Grif has attacked Haitian National Police and the UN-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, including in the February 2025 attack that killed a Kenyan MSS mission officer.

Terrorist designations expose and isolate entities and individuals, denying them access to the U.S. financial system and the resources they need to carry out attacks.

All property and interests in property of those designated today that are in the United States or that are in possession or control of a U.S. person are blocked. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from conducting business with sanctioned persons.

Persons, including American citizens, that engage in certain transactions or activities with these entities, or these individuals may expose themselves to sanctions risk. Notably, engaging in certain transactions with the organizations designated today entails risk of secondary sanctions pursuant to counterterrorism authorities.It is a crime to knowingly provide material support or resources to these organizations, or to attempt or conspire to do so. Moreover, terrorist designations can assist law enforcement actions of other U.S. agencies and governments.

Today’s actions are taken pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, and Executive Order 13224, as amended. FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register.

Petitioners requesting removal of those designated today from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List should refer to the Department of State’s Delisting Guidance page.

National Center of Haitian Apostolate 

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER (May 4, 2025)

Acts 5, 27-31 + 40-41; Ps. 30; Rev 5, 11-14; Jn 21, 1-19

Msgr. Pierre Andre Pierre

 Third Sunday of Easter. The last chapter of the Gospel of John takes us back to the sea of Galilee and tells us of the third appearance of the Resurrected Jesus to seven of his disciples, including Simon Peter.

 The Apostles are puzzled. On the one hand, having seen the Risen Lord with their own eyes, they joyfully proclaimed the miraculous event. But, at the same time, persecuted by the Pharisees and the Jewish courts, they felt like giving up and going back to their old trade. Peter appears as the leader of the group. The others follow him. They spend a whole night fishing, yet they catch nothing. They lack light. Not only the light of the sun, but also the light that is Jesus. At dawn, Jesus appears on the lake shore. He shouts to them: Cast your nest on the right side. They trust in Him. Surprise! A miraculous catch of fish. The nest is filled to the breaking point. A first lesson was taught: “Without me, you can do nothing.” They rush out to Him.

 Once on land, the meal takes place. Peter brings part of the freshly caught fish. It is, moreover, the fruit of everyone's work. Recognition takes place: they know, without question, that it is the Master. He distributes the bread and the fish, and the community that had dispersed after Christ's arrest is reestablished. But something remains to be done: for Peter to be convinced that he has been forgiven. 

 Peter’s three denials during Jesus’ Passion find three affirmations of affection at the apparition by the Sea of Galilee. Peter is asked 3 times, “Do you love me more than these?” Against the "no's," there are "yes's." It is a question of love. The love that Peter never lacked, even though fear overcame him at the moment of truth. At his successive positive answers, Jesus tells him, “Feed my lambs.” “Tend my sheep.” “Feed my sheep.” Jesus then announced Peter’s future martyrdom for the sake of the Gospel, concluding with the call “Follow me!” These words are addressed to Peter personally, not to the other apostles. When his faith has been reaffirmed, the time comes for him to be commissioned as the head of the group, of the nascent Church.

 From that moment on, the Apostles became fishers of men, fulfilling the Master's command, "obeying God rather than men." That small group progressively grew into a big church, thanks to the bold preaching of the witnesses of the resurrection. They transmitted the message of life that they had heard and seen. "The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree." Jesus is alive. He has given them his Spirit to strengthen them on their mission.

 We have just attended the funeral of Pope Francis, and the Church is preparing the conclave beginning this Wednesday, May 7, 2025, that will elect the new Pope. We continue to pray for the future of the Church. In this context, the liturgy presents us with the call of the first Pope, Saint Peter. Could it be just a coincidence? Or, rather, is it God's passing through our lives? Because He is always there, even if we sometimes struggle to see Him, and the Word always enlightens us.

 The Pope at the Vatican, in Rome, or at any place, is the successor of Peter. His mission is to preserve the unity of the Church. The twelve Apostles and their successors will have to proclaim the message of Jesus’s Salvation to the whole world, demonstrating God's love through their service and actions. They must remain united under One Head. The Church founded by Jesus can be marred by division, confusion, and rivalry, but Jesus’s presence and message of Unity and Love are the beacon of Unity.

The Official Newsletter of the Caribbean Studies Association

Balancing Duty with Serious Fun in St. Martin

Today, as we observe the turmoil caused by conflict and other global shifts, it is easy to become despondent, especially in the Caribbean, a space vulnerable to outside shocks. From increasing food insecurity, looming travel restrictions, and despot diplomacy by the US government, Caribbean leaders are challenged in unprecedented ways and are already bracing citizens for uncertainties ahead.

The region is already coping with challenges like climate crisis, brain-drain of some of most needed professionals like nurses and teachers, and increased (neo)colonialism. Recently, CARICOM Chair and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley referred to these as “the most challenging times of our region since the majority of our members gained their independence.” Mottley further urged Caribbean citizens to support each other and tap into the strength and innovation of the “common Caribbean spirit.” 

As academics, we too are duty-bound regardless to where we are currently stationed. I have argued before that it is not enough for us as to hope that our work will improve life for the peoples of the Caribbean, as optimism requires activism. Looking toward the next 50 years of CSA, I believe we must use our collective and individual talents to leave our region (and the rest of the planet) better than when we found it.  

I am looking forward to our time together at the conference when we can share solutions to challenges and further empower our people in the Caribbean and the diaspora. But I am also insisting that you fully partake in what we in St. Martin call serious fun.

Rhoda Arrindell
President CSA 2024-2025

At least 1,617 people killed in the first quarter of 2025 in Haiti

 Port-au-Prince, 30 April 2025: During the first quarter of 2025, the human rights situation in Haiti remained extremely worrying, marked by mass crimes, kidnappings and sexual violence.

 Between 1 January and 31 March 2025, at least 1,617 people were killed and 580 injured in violence involving gangs, self-defence groups and members of the population, as well as in operations carried out by security forces. At the same time, over the same period, at least 161 kidnappings for ransom were documented, 63% of which took place in the Artibonite department.

 The first quarter was marked by the intensification of the activities of criminal groups to expand their territorial influence in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and its surroundings. The communes of Delmas and Kenscoff were particularly targeted, with the aim of destabilising Pétion-Ville. In addition, these same gangs carried out large-scale attacks against the communes of Mirebalais and Saut d'Eau, in the Centre department, to take control of roads leading to the Dominican Republic, but also to allow the escape of more than 515 inmates from the Mirebalais prison. 

 During the first quarter, the actions of self-defence groups as well as those of unorganized members of the population, carried out within the framework of the movement commonly known as "Bwa Kalé", remained a major source of human rights violations and resulted in the deaths of at least 189 people accused of belonging to gangs or committing ordinary crimes.

 The report expresses concern about the high number of people killed during security force operations. At least 802 people were killed in these operations, about 20% of whom were members of the population that were struck by stray bullets while on the streets or in their homes. In addition, there were 65 cases of summary executions allegedly committed by elements of the police and the government commissioner of Miragoâne.

 The report also highlights the serious consequences of gang activities on women and children. During this quarter, more than 333 survivors of sexual violence were identified, 96% of whom were victims of rape, often gang rape, perpetrated by gang members. In addition, at least 35 children have been killed and ten others have been injured in gang attacks, police operations or acts of mob justice. Many other children have been trafficked and forced to join gangs. 

 In the face of these abuses and human rights violations, and despite the continuing dysfunction of the judicial system, authorities have launched several initiatives to combat impunity, with the support of the United Nations. The Transitional Presidential Council and the government have adopted a decree creating specialized judicial units to deal with mass crimes, sexual violence and financial crimes. More than 114 rape cases have also been examined by investigating judges across the country. The fact remains that progress on emblematic cases remains slow, in particular those related to arms trafficking, the assassination of the President of the Republic and the various massacres documented since 2018.