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Colombian President Gustavo Petro arrived in Santo Domingo on Monday, where he was welcomed by Dominican Vice President Raquel Peña at Las Américas International Airport. The visit served as a prelude to his historic trip to Jacmel, Haiti, where he aimed to reinforce Haiti-Colombia relations.
During his stop, discussions focused on regional cooperation, with the Dominican Republic expressing its continued commitment to working alongside Colombia in addressing shared challenges such as migration and regional security.
On Wednesday, Petro arrived in Jacmel, marking a momentous occasion in Haitian-Colombian relations. Hundreds of residents gathered to welcome the Colombian president, whose visit highlighted the potential for stronger ties between the two nations. This marked the second state visit to Haiti following a rise in violence, the first being by Kenyan President William Ruto.
Petro met with Leslie Voltaire, head of Haiti’s Presidential Transition Council (CPT), to discuss bilateral collaboration in trade, education, security, and humanitarian support. The leaders also finalized a cooperation protocol during a binational ministerial meeting aimed at addressing critical challenges in both nations.
In Jacmel, Petro paid tribute to Haiti’s role in supporting Simón Bolívar during South America’s independence struggles, visiting the historic Simón Bolívar Square. The symbolism underscored the shared history of the two nations and their mutual aspirations for freedom and progress.
The leaders signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, education, and humanitarian aid, while also addressing pressing security concerns. Petro’s visit built on the progress made during the December Binational Council of Ministers meeting in Riohacha, Colombia, which set the stage for these discussions.
The visit comes amid complex relations between the two countries, particularly in light of the postponed hearings for 17 Colombian nationals accused of involvement in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. Despite these challenges, Petro’s trip underscored Colombia’s commitment to supporting Haiti in its pursuit of stability and progress.
The historic nature of the visit, coupled with the agreements signed, highlights the importance of regional collaboration. As Haiti navigates its ongoing crises, stronger ties with neighboring nations like Colombia are seen as key to fostering resilience and development.
