Heads of State gathered for the 9th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, from April 7 to 9, 2025. On the final day of the Summit, Haiti's representative Transitional Presidential Council member, Leslie Voltaire made an appeal for regional solidarity in favor of Haiti.
During his speech, Leslie Voltaire expressed his gratitude to the Honduran government for its hospitality and welcomed the transition of the pro tempore presidency of CELAC from Honduras to Colombia. He also expressed his confidence in the leadership of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who now heads the organization.
"The time has come, not for speeches, but for commitment," he insisted, emphasizing the need for significant regional mobilization to address the critical situation in Haiti.
The Presidential Advisor painted a grim picture of the multidimensional crisis the country is going through. He emphasized widespread insecurity and denounced violence "manufactured and maintained from outside" through drug, arms, and organ trafficking, which, he said, threatens not only Haiti but also the stability of the entire region.
Leslie Voltaire urged CELAC member states to prevent the use of their territories as transit points for arms destined for Haiti, calling for stronger regional security cooperation. He also thanked the countries that have joined the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS), including El Salvador, the Bahamas, Guatemala, Jamaica, and Belize.
He also referred to the "ransom of independence" imposed on Haiti by France in 1825. Describing this debt as a "historical injustice," he issued a solemn call for reparations, which he said had far-reaching consequences for the country's development. On behalf of the Haitian people, he demanded the return of this ransom, now estimated at nearly $30 billion.
The Presidential Advisor called for increased humanitarian assistance, particularly for the thousands of Haitian nationals recently turned back by the United States and the Dominican Republic.
Furthermore, Leslie Voltaire drew attention to the climate emergency, highlighting the vulnerability of Caribbean island countries, including Haiti, to the devastating effects of climate change. Although they contribute little to global emissions, these countries disproportionately suffer the consequences. Leslie Voltaire called on CELAC to support their demands for fair compensation, technology transfers, and appropriate technical assistance.
Translated by CHIP editors
Posted April 12, 2025