Haitian industrialists were banking on the extension by the American Congress of these support measures for Haiti's textile sector. But due to the budgetary uproar in Washington last week, these texts had to be set aside as their effects expire in September 2025.
If the extension of the HOPE and HELP programs has been eclipsed due to current American political events, this does not mean that they are buried, specifies Haitian economist Enomy Germain: “ The law will expire in September 2025. There are still possibilities for renewal, but obviously the political situation will be much more difficult with Donald Trump for whom it is above all “America first”. The other countries will matter a little less to him. But for now, we're not there yet. »
The Association of Industries of Haiti promises to continue its efforts to put back on the agenda the legislation that would extend HOPE-HELP, texts considered crucial for the country's economy, underlines Enomy Germain: “ This would be extremely damaging for Haiti, it would be a situation of non-assistance to countries in danger on the part of the United States of America. After the public sector, the textile sector is the most important in the country in terms of employment. We have lost more than thirty thousand jobs over the last three years in the subcontracting sector, which is favored by the United States through the HOPE Act. If this does not happen again, it is a country that will continue to collapse further given that absolutely nothing will remain. »
Haiti exports a billion dollars of goods to the United States each year and 90% comes from subcontracting. Enomy Germain has been pleading for years for a diversification of the Haitian economy, but it will not be done without an essential ingredient: “ To succeed in developing the economy in Haiti, we need a situation of stability. We must not forget that, in the past, it was a country that was at the forefront of tourism in the Caribbean. Today we are the last. For what ? Quite simply because we do not have political stability, and for me the number one duty remains the duty of political and social stability. »
Due to insecurity and political instability, several industrial sites in the country have had to reduce their activity and lay off staff in recent years, starting with the Caracol industrial park in northern Haiti, financed by the United States. United and long a symbol of hope for economic progress for Haitians.
The toll of the Wharf Jérémie massacre revised upwards
We knew the count was still provisional, the United Nations having initially put forward the figure of 184 dead. The UN now speaks of at least 207 victims in less than a week, between December 6 and 11, 2024. Binuh (United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti) confirms that hundreds of civilians were kidnapped, rounded up , interrogated and then executed. And that the perpetrators of this carnage, under the orders of gang leader Micanor Aliès, tried to cover up their crime by burning the bodies or dismembering them before throwing them into the sea.
« Most of the victims are elderly people, who have been accused of practicing voodoo and deliberately causing the gang leader's child to become ill.relates Stéphanie Tremblay, one of the UN spokespersons. Other victims include people who tried to flee the area of the massacre, or people accused of alerting local media about the crimes. ».
The UN, which compiled its figures for the year 2024, estimates that 5,350 people have died and more than 2,100 others have been injured since the start of the year due to the security chaos which continues to affect the country. .
A gloomy Christmas in Port-au-Prince
Daily outbreaks of violence, racketeering, rape, blocked roads, separated families: Haiti knows no respite as the country prepares to go through the Christmas period. In Port-au-Prince, there is almost no trace of the end-of-year celebrations, decorations are non-existent and once joyful traditions are in decline. Report by our correspondent Peterson Luxama from the Principortains for whom joy and reunions with loved ones are only a distant memory.
Matt Gaetz's escapades revealed by the House of Representatives
The soap opera lasted for weeks, but this time, it's concrete. We finally know what the House of Representatives officially criticizes this elected official whom Donald Trump thought he would appoint as Minister of Justice in January, before the person concerned threw in the towel. The report from the Lower House of Congress has just been published and it is tough: alcohol galore, drugs and sexual relations with prostitutes, including minors.
Legal consequences or not, we still do not know. But the American press returns in detail to the way in which Republican Party executives tried to cover up the actions of this protégé of Donald Trump. To read or reread in The Hillthe Washington political daily, how Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, lobbied for this report not to be published. “ I think it would behe said, of a serious violation of protocol. Publishing the findings of this investigation would set a terrible precedent “. The head of the House ethics committee had also expressed his reluctance to make public work “ unfinished » after more than three years of investigation. Rarely in the United States, they were disavowed and the elected representatives of the House ended up voting in favor of its publication.
There remains the question of the future of Matt Gaetz in the American political landscape. He resigned from the House of Representatives when Donald Trump nominated him as future Minister of Justice, but now that the report is out and his escapades are on the table, where will he land? Political commentator, yes: he begins a contract as an editorialist on a conservative TV channel in January 2025. But an elected position? It will be difficult. Gaetz does not rule out running for senator from Florida, but as one political official says, “ his potential constituents or future employers would do well to take a look at the House investigation before making any decisions about him ».
Atlanta and the American holiday madness
Fortunately for Matt Gaetz, all this fell on his head on December 23. The Christmas break will pass by, and we know that Americans take the holidays very seriously. In certain neighborhoods of Atlanta, Georgia, there is even a competition for the craziest decorations, with a friendly rivalry between neighbors around a fundamental question: who will best bring the magic of Christmas to life? Report by Edward Maille.
News from Overseas with our colleagues from the 1ʳᵉ
Former Prime Minister Manuel Valls, new Minister of Overseas Territories.
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