{ "id": "R45034", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "number": "R45034", "active": true, "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, CRSReports.Congress.gov", "versions": [ { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 618949, "date": "2020-03-05", "retrieved": "2020-03-15T19:18:08.665070", "title": "Haiti\u2019s Political and Economic Conditions", "summary": "Since the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986, Haiti has struggled to overcome its centuries-long legacy of authoritarianism, disrespect for human rights, underdevelopment, and extreme poverty. Widespread corruption remains an impediment to changing that legacy. Haiti made significant progress in improving governance prior to the 2010 earthquake, but recovery since then has been slow. Democratic institutions remain weak and stability fragile. Poverty remains massive and deep, and economic disparity is wide. Due to its proximity to the United States and its chronically unstable political environment and fragile economy, Haiti has been an ongoing policy issue for the United States. Many in the U.S. Congress view Haiti\u2019s increasing instability with concern and have shown a commitment to improving conditions in the country through continued support for U.S. foreign aid.\nHaiti has experienced growing instability during the administration of President Jovenel Mo\u00efse, with unrest, high rates of inflation, and resurgent gang violence. The government\u2019s failure to hold elections in October 2019 resulted in the terms of most of the Haitian legislature expiring on January 13, 2020, without officials elected to succeed them. Mo\u00efse is now ruling by decree. The judiciary is conducting ongoing investigations into Mo\u00efse\u2019s possible involvement in various corrupt activities, which the president denies. Haitian Senate and Superior Court of Auditors investigations allege embezzlement and fraud by current and former Haitian officials managing $2 billion in loans from Venezuela\u2019s PetroCaribe discounted oil program. \nMo\u00efse\u2019s decision in mid-2018 to end oil subsidies, which would increase prices dramatically, sparked massive protests. Government instability has heightened since May 2019, when a report alleged Mo\u00efse had embezzled millions of dollars. Mass demonstrations have continued, calling for an end to corruption, provision of government services, and Mo\u00efse\u2019s resignation.\nHaiti occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic, and is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Almost 60% of the country\u2019s 10 million people live in poverty, and almost a quarter of them live in extreme poverty. Haiti is still recovering from the devastating 2010 earthquake, as well as Hurricane Matthew in 2016. The latter worsened a process begun by a two-year drought, destroying much of Haiti\u2019s food supply. \nThe United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) helped restore order from 2004 to October 2017 but was criticized for sexual abuse by some of its forces and for introducing cholera to the country. A smaller peacekeeping mission, the U.N. Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), succeeded the MINUSTAH, focusing on rule of law, development of the Haitian National Police (HNP) force, and human rights. In October 2019, a political mission, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), replaced MINUJUSTH to help Haiti plan and carry out elections and reinforce the HNP through training on human rights, among other duties. Since MINUSTAH\u2019s departure, the HNP has had primary responsibility for domestic security. Mo\u00efse reinstituted the army, raising concerns about the potential for the army to engage in internal repression, as it has in the past. \nAccording to the State Department, U.S. policy toward Haiti is \u201cdesigned to foster the institutions and infrastructure necessary to achieve strong democratic foundations and meaningful poverty reduction through sustainable development.\u201d The Trump Administration has requested $128.2 million for Haiti in FY2021. The Administration planned to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians as of July 22, 2019. Two U.S. courts issued preliminary injunctions against the decision, however, so TPS designation for Haiti remains in effect pending further court orders. The Administration expressed concern about the Haitian president ruling by decree and urged the Haitian government to set a firm date for overdue elections.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45034", "sha1": "c7b440fcf1dbd018389960c367b30d0bfd614391", "filename": "files/20200305_R45034_c7b440fcf1dbd018389960c367b30d0bfd614391.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45034_files&id=/0.png": "files/20200305_R45034_images_3afec3e29d977d912300ce269f80117cbb406139.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45034", "sha1": "e5c773ab851c6b19354f084fbd370521aa3c77cc", "filename": "files/20200305_R45034_e5c773ab851c6b19354f084fbd370521aa3c77cc.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4847, "name": "Latin America, Caribbean, & Canada" } ] }, { "summary": null, "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=R45034", "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov", "type": "CRS Report", "formats": [ { "sha1": "ec3ee894a5e48970a0a6b3113f64d47a001aaf88", "format": "PDF", "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45034/6", "filename": "files/2020-03-03_R45034_ec3ee894a5e48970a0a6b3113f64d47a001aaf88.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/2020-03-03_R45034_ec3ee894a5e48970a0a6b3113f64d47a001aaf88.html" } ], "title": "Haiti\u2019s Political and Economic Conditions", "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov", "retrieved": "2020-09-07T12:24:02.472173", "date": "2020-03-03", "typeId": "R", "id": "R45034_6_2020-03-03", "active": true }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 601552, "date": "2019-07-01", "retrieved": "2019-07-05T22:22:03.046956", "title": "Haiti\u2019s Political and Economic Conditions", "summary": "Since the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986, Haiti has struggled to overcome its centuries-long legacy of authoritarianism, disrespect for human rights, extreme poverty, and underdevelopment. Widespread corruption remains an impediment to changing that legacy. Despite significant progress in improving governance, democratic institutions remain weak and stability fragile. Poverty remains massive and deep, and economic disparity wide. In proximity to the United States, and with a chronically unstable political environment and fragile economy, Haiti has been an ongoing policy issue for the United States. Many in the U.S. Congress view Haiti\u2019s stability with concern and have shown a commitment to improving conditions in the country through continued support for U.S. foreign aid.\nHaiti has experienced growing instability during the administration of President Jovenel Mo\u00efse. Unrest, high rates of inflation, and resurgent gang violence have characterized Mo\u00efse\u2019s term. The judiciary is conducting ongoing investigations into Mo\u00efse\u2019s possible involvement in money laundering, irregular loan arrangements, and embezzlement, which the president denies. Haitian Senate and Superior Court of Auditors investigations allege embezzlement and fraud by current and former Haitian officials managing $2 billion in loans from Venezuela\u2019s PetroCaribe discounted oil program. \nMo\u00efse\u2019s decision in mid-2018 to end oil subsidies, which would increase prices dramatically, sparked massive protests. Government instability has heightened since May 2019, when a report alleged Mo\u00efse had embezzled millions of dollars. Mass demonstrations have continued, calling for an end to corruption, provision of government services, and Mo\u00efse\u2019s resignation.\nIn the face of increasing ungovernability, a high-level Organization of American States delegation traveled to Haiti in June 2019 to facilitate dialogue to reduce political tensions. Some opposition elements refuse to negotiate with the government, however. To date, the parliament has refused to ratify Mo\u00efse\u2019s nominee for prime minister, Jean-Michel Lapin, leaving Haiti without a fully functioning government. Tensions may rise around parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 2019. \nHaiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, occupying the western third of the island, is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Almost 60% of the country\u2019s 10 million people live in poverty, and almost a quarter of them live in extreme poverty. Haiti is still recovering from the devastating 2010 earthquake, as well as Hurricane Matthew in 2016. The latter worsened a process begun by a two-year drought, destroying Haiti\u2019s food supply and creating a humanitarian disaster. Haiti also continues to battle a cholera epidemic inadvertently introduced by United Nations peacekeepers in 2010. Nonetheless, according to the State Department, Haiti is transitioning from a post-disaster era to one of reconstruction and long-term development. \nThe United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) helped restore order from 2004 to October 2017 but was criticized for sexual abuse by some of its forces and for introducing cholera to the country. The U.N. maintains it has diplomatic immunity, but after years of international pressure said it had a \u201cmoral responsibility\u201d to the epidemic\u2019s victims. The U.N. announced a $400 million plan to fight cholera in Haiti and its intention to support cholera victims; neither program has been fully funded or implemented. MINUSTAH was succeeded by a smaller peacekeeping mission, the U.N. Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), which has focused on rule of law, development of the Haitian National Police (HNP) force, and human rights. In October 2019, a political mission, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), is scheduled to replace MINUJUSTH to help Haiti plan and carry out elections and reinforce the HNP through training on human rights, among other duties.\nSince MINUSTAH\u2019s departure, the HNP have had primary responsibility for domestic security. Mo\u00efse reinstituted the army, raising concerns about the potential for the army to engage in internal repression, as it had in the past. \nAccording to the State Department, U.S. policy toward Haiti is designed to foster the institutions and infrastructure needed to achieve strong democratic foundations and meaningful poverty reduction through sustainable development. The Trump Administration requested $145.5 million for aid to Haiti for FY2020.\nThe Administration planned to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians as of July 22, 2019. Two U.S. courts issued preliminary injunctions against the decision, however, so TPS designation for Haiti remains in effect pending further court orders.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45034", "sha1": "afd1742cd8eea6571fbfbeb047baef8372685677", "filename": "files/20190701_R45034_afd1742cd8eea6571fbfbeb047baef8372685677.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45034_files&id=/0.png": "files/20190701_R45034_images_3afec3e29d977d912300ce269f80117cbb406139.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45034", "sha1": "fd84e9910b29413f4602daa1fa96183634bb3e9e", "filename": "files/20190701_R45034_fd84e9910b29413f4602daa1fa96183634bb3e9e.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 585799, "date": "2017-12-01", "retrieved": "2018-10-02T15:31:06.663360", "title": "Haiti\u2019s Political and Economic Conditions: In Brief", "summary": "Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic; Haiti occupies the western third of the island. Since the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986, Haiti has struggled to overcome its centuries-long legacy of authoritarianism, extreme poverty, and underdevelopment. Although significant progress has been made in improving governance, democratic institutions remain weak. Poverty remains massive and deep, and economic disparity is wide. In proximity to the United States, and with a chronically unstable political environment and fragile economy, Haiti has been an ongoing policy issue for the United States. Many in the U.S. Congress view the stability of the nation with great concern and have evidenced a commitment to improving conditions there.\nHaiti returned to constitutional order in February 2017, with the inauguration of President Jovenel Mo\u00efse, after almost a year without an elected president because of political gridlock and delayed elections. Hopes for a more functional and transparent government are tempered by the political newcomer\u2019s lack of experience and ongoing investigations into Mo\u00efse\u2019s possible involvement in money laundering and irregular loan arrangements, which the president denies. Widespread corruption has been an impediment to good governance and respect for human rights throughout much of Haiti\u2019s history. The Haitian Senate\u2019s Special Commission of Investigation released a report in November alleging embezzlement and fraud by current and former Haitian officials managing $2 billion in loans from Venezuela\u2019s PetroCaribe discounted oil program. The commission accuses 15 former government officials, including two former prime ministers, and President Mo\u00efse\u2019s chief of staff of corruption and poor management.\nHaiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Its poverty is massive and deep, exacerbated by chronic political instability and frequent natural disasters. Almost 60% of the country\u2019s 10 million people live in poverty, and almost a quarter of them live in extreme poverty. Haiti is still recovering from the devastating earthquake in 2010, as well as Hurricane Matthew, which hit the island in 2016. The latter worsened a process begun by a two-year drought, destroying Haiti\u2019s food supply and creating a humanitarian disaster. In addition, Haiti continues to struggle against a cholera epidemic inadvertently introduced by United Nations peacekeepers the same year as the earthquake. Nonetheless, according to the State Department, Haiti is transitioning from a postdisaster era to one of reconstruction and long-term development. \nThe United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) was in Haiti to help restore order from 2004 until October 2017. The mission helped facilitate elections, combated gangs and drug trafficking with the Haitian National Police, and responded to natural disasters. MINUSTAH was criticized because of sexual abuse by some of its forces and scientific findings that its troops introduced cholera to the country. The U.N. maintains it has diplomatic immunity, but after years of international pressure said that it had a \u201cmoral responsibility\u201d to the epidemic\u2019s victims. The U.N. announced a new $400 million plan to fight cholera in Haiti, and its intention to support cholera victims; neither program has been fully funded or implemented. MINUSTAH has been succeeded by a smaller mission, the U.N. Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), which is to focus on rule of law, development of the Haitian National Police force, and human rights. The Haitian National Police now have primary responsibility for domestic security.\nHaiti was a key foreign assistance priority for the Obama Administration in Latin America and the Caribbean. According to the State Department, the main priorities for current U.S. policy regarding Haiti are to strengthen fragile democratic institutions and foster sustainable development. Other policy priorities include support for economic growth and poverty reduction, including through bilateral trade and investment to promote job creation; improved health care and food security; promoting respect for human rights; and strengthening the Haitian National Police. The Trump Administration\u2019s proposed FY2018 budget of $156 million for aid to Haiti was a 30% reduction from the FY2017 request. The Administration has also announced that Temporary Protected Status for Haitians is to be terminated as of July 22, 2019.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45034", "sha1": "c2c8fb7e1916e08733eb65a3662751a98d66f6d3", "filename": "files/20171201_R45034_c2c8fb7e1916e08733eb65a3662751a98d66f6d3.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R45034_files&id=/0.png": "files/20171201_R45034_images_3afec3e29d977d912300ce269f80117cbb406139.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45034", "sha1": "4907e5a8fda4b8da061b916c598a64452a896e41", "filename": "files/20171201_R45034_4907e5a8fda4b8da061b916c598a64452a896e41.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [] } ], "topics": [ "Foreign Affairs", "Latin American Affairs" ] }