The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere is urging Haitian authorities to launch an investigation into allegations of corruption at the Collège Présidentiel de Transition (CPT).
“we certainly believe that Haitian authorities should investigate those and determine the substance of what happened and take appropriate actions to hold anyone who’s responsible for corrupt acts accountable”, said assistant secretary Nichols at a virtual press conference ahead of the visit of of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Haiti this Thursday. “The Haitian people deserve transparency and good governance”, he added.
Blinken is scheduled to visit both Haiti and the Dominican Republic as part of a mission that underscores the United States’ commitment to addressing Haiti’s escalating security crisis and the ongoing allegations of corruption.
Three members of the Presidential Transitional Council—Louis Gérald Gilles, Smith Augustin, and Emmanuel Vertilaire—allegedly attempted to bribe the former president of the Banque Nationale de Crédit. The three reportedly demanded 100 million gourdes from the former director in exchange for keeping his position. The case is currently under investigation by the Unité de Lutte Contre la Corruption (ULCC).
The Presidential Transitional Council, a body established to guide Haiti through its political transition, has come under intense scrutiny following corruption allegations against three of its seven voting members. These claims have further destabilized an already fragile nation grappling with gang violence, economic turmoil, and political instability.
Several meetings have been held with CARICOM emissaries to seek a resolution to the crisis caused by the CPT.
Organizations from various sectors of Haitian society have called for the resignation of the implicated council members.
The international community is closely monitoring this corruption scandal and expects the Haitian authorities to respond, as Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols highlighted on Wednesday. “… and the international community, which provides so much assistance, also needs to see that to have the confidence that funds that flow through the Haitian Government are used appropriately and transparently.,” Nichols warned.
