The Caribbean

Written By: Andrew Zhang


Palm tree lined roads, romantic walks on beautiful beaches, and sunsets from the balcony of your cruise ship. The ideal place for relaxing and basking in the warm sun. However, beneath this rosy paradigm, there lies a shrouded, darker side of this two-faced tropical paradise.

The real Caribbean represents an epidemic of natural and manmade disasters. Massive flooding, devastating hurricanes, city-shattering earthquakes are all the norm, and the Caribbean’s already lackluster infrastructure, failing financial markets, rising crime rates, poverty, and corruption in the government are no less deadly. These problems, among others, have contributed to much of the Caribbean's problems, and have been at the center of their recent history. (Caribbean Journal Staff).

1 o’clock, Eastern standard time. Gunshots in the streets. A state of emergency declared. President declared dead. Country left in upheaval and chaos.

Ex-President Jovenel Moïse was democratically elected in 2016, riding on a promise of a new era-one that promised prosperity for the poor country. However, much like many of his predecessors, it only represented one thing, a broken promise. The latter years of his presidency were plagued by protests and clashes between police and dissenters. Critics rightfully claimed that Jovenel Moïse’s leadership had become authoritarian in nature. His attempts to limit the powers of others in the government and his overstay of his presidential term clearly violate the democratic principles he had built his career off of. However, his extended time as President was cut short on July 7th, 2021 by a group of gunmen (“The Tragic Fate of Jovenel Moïse, 'Banana Man' Turned Embattled Haitian Leader.”).

The death of Jovenel Moïse has left a power vacuum in the region, temporarily filled by Ariel Henry, Haiti’s new Prime Minister (“Strife-Torn Haiti Gets New Prime Minister.”). It is still unknown if the new Prime Minister will honor the upcoming elections in September, or if he will continue to rule by decree as Ex-President Jovenel Moïse did.

Surges in violence shook the capital city of Port-au-Prince after the assassination, leaving more than 14,700 displaced (Sanon Evens and Dánica Coto). Moreover, failures in government and policing as a result of the assasination has lead gang violence to increase dramatically over the past few weeks, with unheard of increases in human trafficking, drug trafficking, and other crime. Haiti’s economy is not faring much better, with inflation spiraling out of control, rising national debt, and shrinking GDP (Sanon Evens and Dánica Coto). With 60% of the nation's population living on less than $2 a day, Haiti and its citizens are in a dangerous position and need more help now than ever. Humanitarian efforts must be directed into the Haitian region to rebuild. 

With the nation in the midst of political turmoil and a severe weather hotspot, humanitarian efforts must be directed into the Haitian region to rebuild, but how can you help the families and children struggling in Haiti? Donations of clothes and other items can help provide aid to those who do not have access to such necessities. Monetary donations can help fund clinics to provide medicine, and schools to provide children a rightful education. Water pumps and food can be given to those without a home and those who can not afford such essential supplies after both recent and potential future events. Donate your time! Help transform the lives of men, women, and those around you in Haiti all while transforming yourself. It is at times like these where we must come together to help those who need it, and although Haiti is already receiving much aid, it’s abundantly clear, under present circumstances, that more must be done to save Haiti.
Works Cited:

Caribbean Journal Staff. “12 Challenges Facing Caribbean Small Island Developing States.” Caribbean Journal, 9 Mar. 2015, www.caribjournal.com/2015/03/08/12-challenges-facing-caribbean-small-island-developing-states/. 

Sanon Evens, and Dánica Coto. “Haiti in Upheaval: President Moïse Assassinated at Home.” Associated Press, 8 July 2021, apnews.com/article/haiti-president-jovenel-moise-killed-b56a0f8fec0832028bdc51e8d59c6af2

“Strife-Torn Haiti Gets New Prime Minister.” BBC News, 21 July 2021, www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-57910829. 

“The Tragic Fate of Jovenel Moïse, 'Banana Man' Turned Embattled Haitian Leader.” France 24, 8 July 2021, www.france24.com/en/americas/20210708-the-tragic-fate-of-jovenel-moise-banana-man-turned-embattled-haitian-leader.  

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