Cocaine: Jacques Ketant to be freed from prison in Miami
BY JAY
A onetime Haitian cocaine kingpin who had accused former President Jean Bertrand Aristide of accepting drug-related bribes will soon be released from a U.S. prison after helping prosecutors convict a dozen fellow traffickers, government officials and police officers in a long-running case that exposed Haiti as a “narco-state.”
Beaudouin “Jacques” Ketant saw his 27-year sentence chopped in half on Friday by a federal judge after the U.S. attorney's office in Miami recommended that reduction because of his “substantial assistance” as a witness in other successful prosecutions.
Ketant, 52, has been held at a low-security federal correctional institution in Louisiana and will soon be transferred to immigration authorities. He plans to fight his deportation because of the potential danger that might await him if he returns to his homeland, where Aristide's former bodyguard was recently killed — possibly for cooperating with U.S. authorities after serving a three-year prison sentence in this country.
Haiti: $3 million cocaine, heroin shipment seized
Written by Staff Writer on 15 April 2015.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (sentinel.ht) - The Haitian Brigade Fighting against Drug Trafficking, with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and UN Police on Tuesday seized 77kg of cocaine and 10kg of heroin from a ship at a local port. The bust has a value of about $3 million [US]
The arrest comes days after US Marshals arrested the Haitian adjoint Director of PIHDH, Limongy Jean, a former deputy of the 48th Legislature. PIHDH is a program tasked with providing identification documents to Haitians living in irregular circumstances in foreign countries. Jean is said to have been found in possession of an official Haitian diplomatic passport and his capture as well as this massive drug bust, is fueling much speculation in Haiti.
Radio hosts believe a shipment of that size cannot be transported without a great level of coordination from people of influence.
U.N. calls for swift investigation in death of Chilean peacekeeper in northern Haiti
BY JACQUELINE
04/14/2015 1:34 PM 04/14/2015 4:15 PM
U.N. officials are calling on Haitian authorities to conduct a “swift investigation” into the death of a Chilean peacekeeper who died of injuries from a gunshot wound Monday in the northeast region of Haiti.
Rodrigo Andrés Sanhueza Soto was on his way to administrative duty when his vehicle came under fire in the northeast city of Ouanaminthe near the Haiti-Dominican Republic border. He is a second sergeant serving in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti known by its French acronym, MINUSTAH.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed his sincere condolences to the family of the peacekeeper as well as to the government and the people of Chile.
“The Secretary-General calls for a swift investigation and urges the Haitian authorities to do everything possible to bring those responsible to justice,” the U.N. said in a statement.
The incident was also condemned by the members of the Security Council. Members said they too look forward “to the completion of a full and comprehensive investigation to determine the facts and circumstances of the incident.”
A U.N. team was dispatched to the area soon after the incident. Ban’s special representative in Haiti, Sandra Honoré, equally condemned the violence and killing, and has offered UNPOL support to Haitian authorities in order for the “perpetrator to be brought to justice without delay.”
“Armed violence is a criminal act, which not only endangers people’s security, but also the gains in peace and stability that the Haitian population has achieved so far,” Honoré said. “The mission continues to urge all Haitian stakeholders, civil society, political, religious and community leaders to continuously work against violence in all its forms.”
The violent demonstration, which was over a lack of electricity, comes as Haiti enters the electoral period. The country is scheduled to hold the first round of legislative elections for two-thirds of the Senate and the House of Deputies on Aug. 9. Legislative runoffs and local elections will be held alongside presidential elections on Oct. 25. If no one wins the presidency outright, a runoff will be held Dec. 27.
Last week, registration opened for legislative candidates. Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has approved 166 political parties and platforms to participate in the balloting.
Jet Blue Airways throws (launches) its direct flight from Port-au-Prince to Boston
The discount carrier, JetBlue Airways, confirmed that on Wednesday, June 17th, 2015, it will launch a new seasonal flight without layover from Boston to Port-au-Prince. In preparation for this launch, Maryse Noel, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Tourism, accompanied by Pascale Hilaire of the Promotion Department and Samuel Daméus, who heads the Communication Department, received company representatives at the ministry as special guests. Representing Jet Blue were Elsa España, who manages marketing in Latin America and the Caribbean and Elsy Viala Générale Manager for the company in Haiti. It should be noted that Jet Blue Airways has offered air services to Haiti since December 5th, 2013 with flights connecting Fort Lauderdale and New York in Port-au-Prince.
Everything is ready for the deportations of citizens living in the Dominican Republic in irregular status…
In honor of the 6th anniversary of the foundation for the executive office of Dominican Immigration, Jose Ricardo Taveras, the Director of Immigration, declared that everything was ready to begin deportation procedures of the foreigners (of any nationality) with irregular status in the Dominican territory, according to the law, following the completion of the National Plan of Regularization of Foreigners (PNRE) on June 17th of this year.
"The law is there, and its implementation will be at the appropriate time." As for the necessary financial resources for the application of immigration policies starting in mid-June, he indicated that the executive office was waiting for the intervention of President Danilo Médina" but what I can assure you, is that the President is going to help us in this respect."
He explained, in order to clear up any misunderstanding, the deportation will not be about the hunting of, or the persecution of, people in illegal situations. He specified that no deportation will take place within 24 hours, but that it will be a process supported in time, with respect for dignity and for human rights. "At first, the foreign citizens who are in the country will be invited to leave voluntarily. Secondly, if they do not leave voluntarily, through diverse mechanisms set up by the law, they will be sent back to their country of origin ".
André Navarro, the Minister of Dominican Foreign Affairs, also announced that the process of eviction, in particular for Haitian nationals in illegal situation (who) represent most of the concerned foreigners), will begin on a national scale, next June. He indicated that this process will be negotiated with the nearby authorities within the framework of the Bilateral Joint committee.
Dominicans lift suspension of freight trucks into Haiti
Written by Staff Writer on 15 April 2015.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (sentinel.ht) - Less than 24 hours after announcing the suspension of freight trucks into Haiti, due to alleged acts of violence and looting, the Dominican National Federation of Transportation (Fenatrado) said transports would be resumed Wednesday morning.
Fenetrado Secretary General, Geovanny Escotto, said that Haitian and Dominican officials held a meeting at the provincial governor's headquarters and pledged to compensate for the merchandise said to have been lost by four trucks. These losses are estimated at about $90,000.
Escotto also said that the Haitian National Police recovered some of the stolen merchandise. He said a judge and a prosecutor are currently performing an inventory of the losses.
Fenetrado says provincial governor Ramona Rodriguez, and CESFRONT Chief Brigadier General Carlos Aguirre Reyes, are engaged in following up on the situation.
The Dominican military authorities ordered a strengthening of surveillance at the border of this province with Haiti to prevent further unrest. Every Monday and Friday, traders Dominican and Haitian celebrate binational Mercano in which several millions of pesos are mobilized.
It should be noted, on the Haitian side, many seem unaffected by Fenetrado's suspension, believing that unfair trade policies exist and a boycott of Dominican products should be in effect.
Mogul predicts ‘development boom’ along Haiti-Dominican border
Santo Domingo.- Vicini group executive Juan B. Vicini on Monday said potential areas to invest in have been identified along the border with Haiti and forecasts around US$3.0 billion to develop projects.
He said renewable energy and agribusiness projects can be developed in several strategic points which he affirms can transform the border and include Manzanillo port in Montecristi province, Lake Azuey and the Artibonite river basin.
Vicini said an agro project and an energy storage system could be developed on the river basin and next to the lake.
The sugar cane mogul noted that the port doesn’t require a large investment and stressed that it’s the closest point to the US Eastern Seaboard, with a high return on investment. "What we’re trying to create is a development boom in that area so it becomes an attractive spot for the population."
Interviewed on Sol de la Mañana radio program, the business leader said the viable projects will be announced here and in Haiti through universities and other organizations to engage stakeholders. He said they’ll also integrate the community in the areas where the initiatives will have an impact, with a guaranteed "to give participation.”
Vicini said developing the border area is the ideal way for the Dominican Republic to contribute to solve Haiti’s economic and social crisis, by creating jobs and attracting investment, in addition to the benefits for both nations. "When you join resources from one country with another on a border for a common good (...) it bolsters investment. It’s possible to seek harmonious solutions."
Haiti is going to chair a forum on health in Cuba
The Secretary of Public Health and the Population, Florence Duperval Guillaume, will chair from April 20, till 24, 2015, a Forum called "Cuba Health 2015," at the Palace of Conventions in Havana, learned HPN.
The Haitian delegation will consist of Dr Nancy Larco, Alfred Patrick and Palau Brunache, as stated on the official site of the ministry of the External Affairs of Cuba.
In a press release, the Cuban government informed that this event will aim at facilitating the exchange on the current and future challenges of public health in the world. The Haitian delegation will have the opportunity to discuss topics of interest for the benefit of the Haitian population.
The Secretary of Public Health visited Cuba repeatedly, and had exchanges with her Cuban counterpart - Roberto Morales Ojeda and other state employees of the Ministry of Health.
In addition, it has been recognized during the international forums the important role played by the Cuban medical staff in Haiti, concluded the press release.
Three artists on tour thank the MNUSTAH to encourage a peaceful society for the country …
For the first time in Haiti, from April 16th till May 17th, 2015 the caravan "Vwa Ayiti Pou Lapè" will bring 3 renowned Haitian artists: James Germain, Emeline Michel and Beethova Obas, to meet young talent from 10 Haitian cities, in order to entertain musical creation workshops and offer mini-concerts under the theme of peace and nonviolence.
" I requested Minustah to realize and finance a national tour which will offer workshops to the young musicians coming from vulnerable communities throughout the country," explained James Germain "The campaign Ann Chwazi Lapè, has the real logic and it is good to set up something significant with a clear message. "
" The antidote to violence, is peace,” reminded Beethovas Obas who wishes through this tour to make their contribution to the consolidation of a peaceful climate in Haiti.
The three artists will work from April 16th till May 17th, 2015 with the selected artists (singers, musicians and composers) who will propose collective concerts for peace and nonviolence.