Haitian Times News Roundup – Mar. 11

Haiti

Tech-Savvy Politician Looks To Bring Haitian Businesses Into The 21st Century

In 2016 State Assemblyman Clyde Vanel won a five-way race to represent the 33rd Assembly district of New York, making him one of five members of the state’s Legislature who is of Haitian descent. He would later be re-elected in 2018 with a landslide victory. Continue reading

Haiti’s Troubles Must Not Be Forgotten

The stench of burning tires is hard to escape. Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, is again littered with smoldering barricades. Towns across the country are in lockdown. Over a million people took to the streets this month in protest, effectively shutting the nation of nearly 11 million people down. Demonstrations turned violent amid accusations that Haitian officials pillaged a multibillion-dollar Petrocaribe development fund subsidized by Venezuela. Continue reading

Haiti’s Energy Woes Creating Monthly Panic As Government Struggles To Keep Lights On

Haiti is running out of fuel — again.

Gas stations are stockpiling and rationing gasoline. The poor are running out of kerosene to cook. Private power suppliers, out of diesel for the past 11 days, are reducing or ceasing production — taking Haiti’s already desperate electricity issues from bad to worse. Continue reading

UN Renewed Support for Haiti on International Women’s Day

On International Women’s Day, the United Nations in Haiti renewed its support of the to the government’s efforts to promote gender equality and women’s participation in public life, whether political, social or economic, radio Metropole reports. Continue reading

Haiti Daylight Savings Time

Time in Haiti has been advanced by an hour. This change was made yesterday at 2:00 AM where the time has been set at 3:00 (7:00 GMT), Alterpresse reports. Continue reading

Haitian Gang Leader Apprehended by Police Officers

Alleged gang leader, Max Roudolphe, who controlled Ruelle Deschamps commonly known as “Dèyè Chansrèl”, in La Saline, was apprehended last Saturday by agents of the Haitian National Police. Roudolphe was arrested while he was receiving treatment in a health center for injuries he sustained in a clash between armed gangs the day before, radio Television Caraibes reports. Continue reading

UN is Considering Another Mission for Haiti.

Le National reports that Antonio Guterres, UN General Secretary, recommends that the Security Council approve the creation of this special political mission as a small strategic consultative office.
This office will support and advise Haitian authorities and institutions in national priority areas including national dialogue, elections and constitutional reform. It will give strategic advice on the development of the National Police, on justice reform initiatives, on the reduction of violence.
The United Nations expects to begin the mission at the end of the mandate of Minujust, on October 16, 2019. Continue reading

Arts & Culture

With no Carnival, Haiti’s musicians lose more than their stage

If you turn on the radio in Haiti in the weeks leading up to Lent, you’ll be bombarded with calls for political and social change. The airwaves are filled with upbeat new party songs that musicians release for the Carnival season. Their lyrics hold up a mirror to society, mixing jabs at corrupt officials with calls for environmental protection and references to Haiti’s voodoo religious tradition. Continue reading