As I celebrate the 4th of July, commemorating the signing of the document that declared the United States' independence from Great Britain, my thoughts inevitably turn to Haiti.

CARICOM's Eminent Persons Group hosted a recent summit in Jamaica. The summit brought together the opposing parties in Haiti's political crisis. The details of the closed-door talks remain undisclosed.

As a Haitian-American, I am heartbroken to see the country I love facing yet another crisis. Gang violence has been on the rise in Haiti in recent months, and the situation is only getting worse. The violence has had a devastating impact on the Haitian people, who are living in fear and uncertainty.

Yesterday, a horrific incident took place in Canapé Vert, a neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where a mob lynched 14 suspected gang members. The exact details of the incident are still unclear, but it is believed that the police stopped a tap-tap, a small public bus, during a routine check.

The ongoing debate among Haitian advocates about the US's accountability for supplying arms and ammunition highlights our incapacity to develop a common agenda and achieve a shared goal.

I will never get tired of saying that the Haitian diaspora has the potential to play a significant role in shaping Haiti's future. Unfortunately, its divisions and conflicting priorities are hindering progress toward this goal. Currently, Haiti is facing the most serious security challenge since the nation’s founding with widespread kidnapping for ransom, raping, and killing by gangs.

The situation in Haiti is catastrophic.  Yet, there is an ongoing debate and divergent opinions about the international community's role in restoring security.   The quartet, which includes the U.S., Canada, France, and the Dominican Republic, has had a significant impact on Haiti's political system. 

Haiti is facing a severe crisis and by all measures could be considered a failed state. Its economy is in ruins, there are no elected officials, and the de facto prime minister, Ariel Henry, and his government are unable to fulfill the basic duties of governing.

During a police operation in the Village de Dieu, a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince controlled by the "5 segonn (5 seconds)" gang, on March 13, 2021, four police officers were killed. Despite the promises of the Prime minister and the Director General of the police, their bodies were never recovered

The National Haitian Elected Officials Network’s (NHAEON) annual retreat last weekend. Haitian Americans from across the country came together to celebrate, learn and discuss issues of importance to the diaspora.  One of those issues is the unprecedented, multidimensional – and existential – crisis in Haiti.

Imagine a world where the Haitian diaspora, united and organized, wields significant influence on US policies towards Haiti. a world where our voices are heard loud and clear, shaping the future of our homeland for the betterment of all Haitians. This is not just a pipe dream; it is a possibility within our reach. But it will only happen if we come together, pool our resources, and work towards a common goal.

The news of the assassination of businessman and former presidential candidate, Eric Jean Baptiste reverberated like an electric shock through Haiti and abroad. Mr. Jean-Baptiste was a philanthropist and the leader of the political party Rally of Progressive National Democrats (RNDP).

Haiti is in a state of siege and sinking deeper into the abyss of despair. Gangs have taken control of large portions of its capital, Port-au-Prince. They continue to expand their capacity to other cities. And, like a boa constrictor, they are tightening and squeezing their prey's life. The population is running out of water, food, fuel, and medicine. The schools have not been able to open and businesses are closing their doors.

The word democracy finds its roots in Ancient Greek, which starts with dēmos 'people' and Kratos 'rule.' Some of democracy's prerequisites include the guarantees of the rule of law, social justice, and free and fair elections. For democracy to take hold, the people must see its value and be willing to fight and die for it – in theory, and practice. The fight for democracy is a waste of time and resources if those prerequisites are absent.

As Haiti experiences another political convulsion, the country continues to fall further backward. Amid the political crisis, businesses are shutting down or barely functioning. Schools are unable to open their doors and hospitals cannot function as their fuel supplies get exhausted. For Haitians, their dreams and aspirations are being snuffed out. Those with the financial means are leaving the country in droves.