Today’s Breaking Headlines: Haiti-Colombia Partnership, UN Alerts

Today’s biggest headlines from Haiti are making waves: A historic Haiti-Colombia partnership takes the spotlightthe UN issues a dire warning about gang control in Port-au-PrinceSpirit Airlines announces its return to Cap-Haïtienand parents demand urgent action as students remain stranded.

From high-level diplomacy to pressing grassroots issues, here’s what’s unfolding right now.

Diplomatic Breakthrough: Haiti and Colombia Forge South-South Cooperation


On Wednesday afternoon, January 22, 2025, Haitian officials warmly welcomed Colombian President Gustavo Petro and his delegation to Jacmel. Originally scheduled for 10 AM, the delayed meeting culminated in the signing of a landmark South-South cooperation protocol.

The agreement, finalized at 4:49 PM, focuses on trade, education, security, and humanitarian aid.

Transitional Presidential Council member Leslie Voltaire praised Colombia’s commitment, emphasizing that Haitians will soon see tangible benefits from this partnership. Alix Didier, a government coordinator, highlighted the pact as a step toward Caribbean-Latin American integration and regional solidarity.

UN Warns: International Support Critical to Prevent Gang Takeover


A new UN report paints a grim picture: without urgent international backing, gangs could seize control of Port-au-Prince, leading to a total collapse of state authority.

Secretary-General António Guterres stressed that delays in deploying a multinational security mission risk Haiti’s national institutions crumbling. Haitian Foreign Minister Jean Baptiste Victor echoed this urgency during meetings in New York, pleading for global support to combat insecurity.

Spirit Airlines Resumes Flights to Cap-Haïtien


In a boost for travel, Spirit Airlines announced it will restart direct flights from Fort Lauderdale to Cap-Haïtien starting March 5.

The airline halted operations in November 2024 after a bullet struck one of its planes in Port-au-Prince’s airspace. American carriers JetBlue and American Airlines remain paused, leaving Spirit’s return as a rare bright spot for connectivity.

Education Crisis: Students Stranded, Parents Protest Fees


Haiti’s education sector faces dual crises. The Haitian Union of Progressive Student Parents (UPEP) issued an urgent plea to Education Minister Antoine Augustin over steep fee hikes at Collège Sainte Rose de Lima. Parents must now pay an extra $100 per student (or $175 for two) to fund the school’s relocation from Lalue to Delmas 83 amid safety concerns.

Meanwhile, 58 scholarship students bound for Morocco remain stranded in Haiti despite holding visas. Their December 30, 2024, departure date passed with no flights available, jeopardizing their academic futures. UPEP urges the government to prioritize their travel, akin to expedited arrangements for official delegations.

Haiti’s resilience shines through diplomacy and grassroots advocacy, yet systemic challenges demand swift action. Will international partners heed the UN’s call? Can local leaders stabilize education and security? Share your thoughts below—let’s keep the conversation going.

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