Haiti’s future has long been shaped by external interference, economic exploitation, and internal corruption—but few scandals have so blatantly exposed these forces as the PetroCaribe scandal. The mismanagement of billions of dollars—which were meant to uplift Haiti’s infrastructure and social programs—left the country with broken promises, unfinished projects, and an even deeper crisis of public trust.
Just when I had begun to forget about this gross event in our recent history, I came across a short article on LinkedIn by Dr. Guerda Nicolas. And I couldn’t let it go. She is among those shedding light on Haiti’s structural issues and whose research and advocacy have highlighted the mental health toll of instability and mismanagement in Haiti. However, she is not alone. Many Haitians in the diaspora—educators, organizers, business leaders, and community activists—have been working tirelessly to ensure Haiti’s rebuilding and self-sufficiency. The question remains: How do we ensure that Haiti’s future is not defined by the failures of its past?
The PetroCaribe scandal is a national betrayal—one that has kept Haiti in a stranglehold of debt, corruption, and stagnation. If there is ever a time to demand accountability and take control of Haiti’s future, it is now.
The PetroCaribe Scandal: What Happened?
The PetroCaribe agreement, launched in 2005, was an initiative led by Venezuela, allowing participating Caribbean nations—including Haiti—to purchase discounted oil and use the saved funds to invest in social and economic development projects. For Haiti, this was an unprecedented opportunity to invest in its crumbling infrastructure, public services, and future prosperity.
Timeline of Key Events
🔹 2005-2006 – Haiti joins PetroCaribe under President René Préval, with the potential to save hundreds of millions of dollars for social programs and development projects.
🔹 2010 Earthquake1 – One of the most devastating disasters in Haiti’s history where over 200,000 lives were lost. Billions of dollars in foreign aid poured in, alongside PetroCaribe funds, meant to be used for reconstruction.
🔹 2011-2016 – Under President Michel Martelly, an estimated $4.3 billion USD in PetroCaribe funds disappear. Roads, hospitals, and schools meant to be built remain unfinished or were never started. Reports surface that the funds were mismanaged, funneled into private accounts, and wasted on overinflated contracts.
🔹 2018-2019: The PetroCaribe Protests – Fed up with government corruption, thousands of Haitians took to the streets, demanding #KotKòbPetroCaribeA? (Where is the PetroCaribe money?). The movement spread globally, as Haitians in the diaspora also called for transparency and accountability.
🔹 2021: Assassination of Jovenel Moïse – Moïse, who was implicated in mismanaging PetroCaribe funds, is assassinated in unclear circumstances, leaving Haiti in a deeper crisis of instability-with no new president in sight.
Meanwhile, to this day, no one has been held accountable for the PetroCaribe money. Haiti remains in economic freefall, with failing infrastructure and rising insecurity.
The Impact of PetroCaribe’s Failure
The PetroCaribe scandal is not just about missing money—it represents a betrayal of the Haitian people.
🔻 Education: Schools that were supposed to be built never materialized, leaving millions of children without access to quality education.
🔻 Healthcare: Promised hospitals were never finished, forcing Haitians to seek medical care abroad or suffer without treatment.
🔻 Infrastructure: Haiti’s roads, bridges, and power systems remain in poor condition, stalling economic progress and limiting mobility.
🔻 Trust in Government: The scandal has deepened political instability, making it even harder for Haiti to build a functional, accountable government.
🔻 International Reputation: The PetroCaribe scandal has weakened Haiti’s standing globally, making international partners hesitant to invest in future projects.
While foreign interference has played a significant role in Haiti’s struggles, this scandal was an entirely internal failure—one that cannot be blamed on outside forces alone. Haitian leaders betrayed their own people.
The Role of the Haitian Diaspora in Shaping a New Future
Haiti cannot move forward without addressing the long-term impact of systemic corruption. Among the many working toward solutions is Dr. Guerda Nicolas, but she is just one of many Haitians committed to rebuilding Haiti. Across the diaspora and within Haiti, countless leaders, entrepreneurs, and scholars have been laying the foundation for a better, self-sufficient Haiti.
How We Ensure This Never Happens Again
✅ Demanding Accountability – Haitian citizens must continue pressuring the government for transparency and holding corrupt officials legally responsible. The stolen PetroCaribe funds must be traced and recovered.
- 📣 Continuing the Fight for Transparency – The movement sparked by #KotKòbPetroCaribeA must continue. We cannot let Haiti’s next generation inherit a country run by unchecked corruption.
✅ Building Independent Haitian-Led Institutions – We must stop relying on foreign aid and instead create and invest in independent Haitian-led projects for education, infrastructure, and healthcare.
✅ Empowering Haitian-Led Economic Initiatives – Haiti must reclaim control of its industries, ensuring that Haitian businesses, not foreign interests, benefit from its economy.
✅ Strategic Diaspora Investment – Haitians abroad must shift from remittances to structured investments in land, infrastructure, and business development that strengthen the nation without going through corrupt government channels.
✅ Rebuilding Trust in Leadership – Haiti’s next generation of leaders must be educated, ethical, and prepared to govern. Political and civic education must be prioritized to end the cycle of corruption and incompetence.
These steps aren’t far-fetched—they require commitment, organization, and action.
Haiti has survived colonialism, imperialism, and economic sabotage—but we must ensure it thrives.
Final Thoughts: A Path Forward
The PetroCaribe scandal does not have to define Haiti’s future, but ignoring it will ensure that history repeats itself.
By acknowledging the failures of the past, holding those in power accountable, and implementing long-term solutions, we can reclaim our future.
Haiti’s next chapter is ours to write. Let’s demand accountability and build a nation that honors the resilience of its people. 🇭🇹✨
- The 2010 Haiti earthquake, which struck on January 12, 2010, was one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history. The official death toll reported by the Haitian government was over 230,000 people. However, estimates from various sources, including international organizations, suggest the actual number could be between 160,000 and 316,000 due to incomplete records and unmarked mass graves.
Additionally:
*Over 300,000 people were injured
*More than 1.5 million people were left homeless
*Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas suffered massive infrastructure collapse, including government buildings, hospitals, and homes ↩︎
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