By Réalité Info, August 24, 2026
The Haitian Customs Association (ADH) is raising its voice. During a press conference held this Monday, August 24, 2026, in the municipality of Delmas, the union denounced what it presents as an attempt at corruption within the General Customs Administration (AGD), while renewing its demand for the granting of a special status to customs agents.
Jean Robert Plaisimond, coordinator and spokesperson for the ADH (Human Rights Association), directly implicated the Director General of the AGD, Walter Gabelus. According to his statements, Gabelus allegedly offered up to 3 million gourdes as part of efforts, which the union claims were aimed at weakening or diverting the customs officers' demands. Jean Robert Plaisimond asserts that he considered this an attempt at bribery and is calling for investigations to be conducted to establish the facts.
The ADH spokesperson also denounced what he described as a pressure campaign against employee representatives. He maintains that job changes and administrative initiatives have been used to weaken union mobilization. The ADH further claims to have faced threats and alleges an assassination attempt against its spokesperson, without publicly providing any information during this statement to establish responsibility.
At the heart of the mobilization is the demand for a special status for customs officers, a demand that has been voiced for several years. Jean Robert Plaisimond believes that the commitments made successively by government officials have not yet resulted in a concrete decision and accuses certain authorities of maintaining a double standard on the issue.
For his part, Jean Roody Alcibiade, deputy spokesperson for the ADH, defended the professional and institutional nature of this demand. According to him, the customs officer profession presents specific constraints that justify an appropriate legal framework, similar to other branches of the public administration that already benefit from special statuses.
Jean Roody Alcibiade argues that the Special Status would not only be an advantage for employees, but also a tool for reorganization and governance that could improve the functioning of the customs administration. He particularly emphasizes the difficult working conditions faced by some officers at control posts, especially in the provinces.
The deputy spokesperson also denounced the risks to which customs officers are exposed in the performance of their duties, particularly in the face of smuggling, threats, and armed groups. The ADH believes that improving working conditions and strengthening legal protections for officers could help reduce the vulnerabilities that foster corruption.
The union representatives assert that their actions aim to defend the dignity of employees and strengthen the effectiveness of the AGD. They call on the government to take concrete steps regarding the Special Status and to examine the accusations made during the press conference.
The accusations made against Director General Walter Gabellus remain statements by the ADH and require independent verification as well as the position of the person concerned and the competent authorities.
Posted Sept. 9, 2026