ANALYSIS AND POLITICAL THEORY

The crisis in Haiti: multidimensional analysis of its causes, consequences and futuro

agravada a partir del estallido social de febrero del 2019, que ha devenido en lo que hoy muchos califican -y no sin razón- como un Estado fallido.

Por: Peter Gonzales-Zegarra (Abogado, Analista)

Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, has been mired in a deep, multifaceted, and multidimensional crisis for decades, exacerbated by the social unrest that began in February 2019. This situation has led many to label Haiti, not without reason, as a failed state. In other words, the Haitian crisis is not solely political but is a complex and systemic phenomenon resulting from a combination of political, economic, social, and even historical factors. In the following lines, we will attempt to briefly examine the underlying causes of the crisis in Haiti, its characteristics and consequences for the population and the country as a whole, as well as possible solutions to mitigate its effects. At a historical and political level, Haiti's situation is unique and even ironic. Haiti was the first country in Latin America to gain independence in 1804, following a revolution led by slaves against French colonial rule. It was even, for a brief moment, the richest colony in the Americas. However, over time, independence did not bring the stability or prosperity that might have been expected. Instead, the country faced decades of debt, dictatorships, corruption, and direct and indirect U.S. intervention for nearly 80 years. During the 20th century, the dictatorships of François Duvalier "Papa Doc" and his son Jean-Claude Duvalier "Baby Doc," both backed by the United States, significantly contributed to deepening this instability. These dictatorships were characterized by brutal repression, systematic and widespread corruption, and an economy that favored a small elite at the expense of the vast majority (Dubois, 2012). This 30-year period ended with a coup d'état, after which a democratic era began, characterized by a succession of failed governments that, in many cases, lasted only a few months. The impact of these authoritarian regimes left the country in a state of institutional weakness and permanent educational, cultural, and economic poverty. This institutional weakness was reflected in nearly all governments, as seen, for example, in the case of Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who served as president of Haiti four times (all interrupted by force) with terms ranging from 8 months to 3 years. Possibly his worst period was the last one, which, although it was the longest (from 2001 to early 2004), marked the beginning of the strengthening of opposing armed groups due to Aristide's political shift to the left. Since then, Haiti has experienced chronic instability, with frequent changes in government, endemic corruption, a weak governmental infrastructure (Farmer, 2017), and absolute lawlessness in the streets, culminating in the most recent political crisis that began in 2019, two years before the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse by Colombian and American mercenaries, and continues to this day. Economic and Social Causes Economically, chaos has been ever-present. Although, as mentioned, Haiti had a brief period of prosperity during its colonial era, the economy of republican Haiti has been marked by a heavy reliance on international aid and a lack of internal and external investment. U.S. interventions worsened the situation, as weak humanitarian aid has never been able to meet its objectives. It has often been inadequate or powerless to address, curb, or combat the causes of Haiti's poverty, which, as we have seen, develops within the framework of a multidimensional crisis. Despite promises of development, international aid has often been mismanaged and has not fostered sustainable economic development (Paul, 2020). Instead, it has been instrumentalized to benefit those already in power, as was the case with the embezzlement of Petrocaribe loans by government officials and private companies, totaling more than $2 billion. There is no doubt that poverty in Haiti is alarming. More than 60% of the population lives on less than two dollars a day, and unemployment and underemployment rates are extremely high (World Bank, 2023). At least half of the population, about 5 million people, suffers from food insecurity, of which at least 3 million are children and adolescents (UN News, 2024). The lack of adequate infrastructure and educational and healthcare services has perpetuated a cycle of poverty that has been difficult to break. The devastation caused by the 2010 earthquake and subsequent hurricanes, such as Hurricane Matthew in 2016, has exacerbated these difficulties, destroying entire communities and significantly increasing food insecurity and displacement (UNICEF, 2017). However, to understand the deep roots of Haiti's economic destruction, it is crucial to consider the historical context in which it began. This context includes the infamous "independence debt," a forced economic agreement Haiti had to enter in exchange for France's recognition of its independence. The cost of this agreement, depending on the methodology used and considering interest and inflation, could range from $21 billion to $115 billion over a period of 122 years. Consequences of the Crisis The consequences of the crisis in Haiti are extensive and affect all aspects of life in the country. Politically, instability has prevented the formation of effective governments and the implementation of coherent policies. Corruption and the lack of trust in institutions have led to limited citizen participation and a cycle of disillusionment with formal politics (Haitian Times, 2023). Socially, the crisis has had a devastating impact on the quality of life. Education and healthcare, two fundamental pillars of human development, have been deeply affected. Schools and hospitals, mostly in ruins or poorly equipped, cannot meet the basic needs of the population (WHO, 2023). Violence and insecurity have also increased, with armed gangs controlling large areas of the country and threatening the daily lives of Haitians (Reuters, 2024). These gangs now virtually control the country's capital, Port-au-Prince. **Possible Solutions and Future Paths** Addressing the crisis in Haiti requires a systemic, multidimensional, and multifaceted approach that involves both national and international efforts. It is abundantly clear by now that Haiti cannot stand on its own. An urgent, coordinated international military intervention is necessary to restore peace, led primarily by Latin American sister nations. Without security and the consequent eradication of the gangs and criminal organizations that have taken over the country, no change will be possible, nor will political, social, or economic stability be achieved. In a second phase, and on a domestic level, it is crucial to strengthen the country's institutions. This entails a deep reform of the political system to ensure transparency and accountability. Promoting inclusive and participatory governance can help restore confidence in the government and mobilize national resources effectively and efficiently. From an economic perspective, a comprehensive development strategy is needed, naturally incorporating a sustainability-focused approach. This includes improving infrastructure, supporting local entrepreneurship, and ensuring that international aid and financing are used as effectively and equitably as possible. Investments in education and health should be prioritized to create a solid foundation for long-term development. These are the basics needed to build any society. Without meeting the basic needs of the population, it is impossible to build a true society. The global community also has a responsibility to reconsider its approach to Haiti. Rather than merely providing emergency aid or sporadic charity, donor countries and international organizations must commit to a long-term development plan based on the needs and aspirations of the Haitian people. If France has forgotten Haiti and turns a blind eye despite its clear co-responsibility (at least in the economic sphere), Latin America, and by extension Ibero-America, must assume their geographic, cultural, historical, and geostrategic roles. Additionally, local efforts to solve problems must be respected and supported, avoiding the imposition of solutions that do not fit Haiti’s specific context, as suggested by the International Crisis Group (2024). The work must be implemented together with the local population and leaders, not outside of them. As we can see, the crisis in Haiti is a complex challenge that requires a comprehensive, coordinated, and phased response—a project for the short, medium, and long term. The historical, political, economic, and social causes have converged to create a situation of systemic and multidimensional crisis that deeply affects the population. However, with a strategic approach that includes internal reforms and well-directed international support, Haiti may find a path to stability and development. The key to overcoming this crisis lies in cooperation, long-term planning (it is important to overcome the aversion to anything involving planning or the application of five-year plans), and, without a doubt, a real commitment to the well-being of the Haitian people. References: World Bank. (2023). Haití: Informe sobre el desarrollo económico y social. Recuperado de https://www.worldbank.org UN NEWS. (2024) Cinco millones de personas sufren la mayor crisis alimentaria en Haití desde el terremoto de 2010. https://news.un.org/ UNICEF. (2017). Haití: Evaluación de la situación post-desastres. Recuperado de https://www.unicef.org Paul, D. (2020). La ayuda internacional y su impacto en Haití. Journal of Development Studies, 56(7), 1042-1056. Oxfam. (2023). El futuro de Haití: Recomendaciones para un desarrollo inclusivo. Recuperado de https://www.oxfam.org Haitian Times. (2023). Crisis política en Haití: Desafíos y perspectivas. Recuperado de https://www.haitiantimes.com OMS. (2023). Salud en Haití: Desafíos y oportunidades. Recuperado de https://www.who.int Reuters. (2024). Violencia y bandas en Haití: Un informe sobre la situación actual. Recuperado de https://www.reuters.com Dubois, L. (2012). Haiti: The Aftershocks of History. Metropolitan Books. Farmer, P. (2017). Haiti After the Earthquake. PublicAffairs. nternational Crisis Group. (2024). Haití: Caminos hacia una solución sostenible. Recuperado de https://www.crisisgroup.org Pierre-Charles, Gérard (2020). Haití: pese a todo la utopía. 1a ed.-Buenos Aires: CLACSO.