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Tegucigalpa, Honduras – Honduran President Xiomara Castro has announced plans to convene a summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to address Haiti’s escalating crisis, calling for a united and urgent response.
“I will summon CELAC heads of state so that together we can define a position of absolute and urgent solidarity with Haiti,” Castro said in a message marking the third anniversary of her electoral victory. The announcement, shared via her official account on the X platform, signals her commitment as the pro tempore president of CELAC to fostering regional solutions to pressing issues.
Castro’s remarks emphasized the need for solidarity over militarization or external interference. “Seven months ago, as I assumed this responsibility, I warned that militarization and interference would not solve the plight of the first nation liberated in our region,” she stated. She described Haiti’s current state as “a spiral of violence” requiring immediate regional attention.
The Honduran leader did not provide specific details regarding the date or location of the proposed summit. As of Saturday morning, the Honduran Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not elaborated on the announcement, nor had it shared the president’s message on its social media channels.
President Castro assumed the pro tempore presidency of CELAC on March 1 during a summit held in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. At the time, she highlighted the importance of addressing regional issues without external pressure, using dialogue as the primary tool for fostering regional welfare and self-determination.
Founded in 2010, CELAC comprises 33 member states and serves as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among Latin American and Caribbean countries. The organization aims to promote regional integration and address shared challenges.
Castro’s proposal underscores CELAC’s potential role in coordinating a collective response to Haiti’s deepening crisis, marked by political instability, gang violence, and economic hardship. Her call for “absolute solidarity” reflects a broader push for regional solutions that prioritize local agency and collaboration.
While details of the summit remain unclear, Castro’s leadership as CELAC president could serve as a catalyst for greater engagement among member states to address Haiti’s challenges.
