Haiti at the Heart of Discussions Between Dr. Joël Lorquet and the OAS Secretary General in Washington
By La Rédaction · Port-au-Prince
· 3 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
Translated from French — AI-assisted and reviewed by the editorial team. The French version is authoritative. Read the original · About our translation policy
Received in a private audience on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, by the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, in Washington, Haitian writer Joël Lorquet conveyed the voice of Haiti and its diaspora. According to a statement, discussions focused on the country's multidimensional crisis, the responsibilities of national and international actors, as well as the conditions necessary for a lasting exit from instability.
A Meeting Focused on the Haitian Crisis
According to the statement, Haiti's general situation was at the heart of the discussions between Joël Lorquet and Albert Ramdin. Chronic underdevelopment, persistent poverty, widespread insecurity, and institutional fragility were analyzed as interdependent factors fueling the current crisis. The responsibilities of Haitian authorities, as well as those of the international community, were also discussed.
The OAS Secretary General recalled Haiti's historical role in the struggles for independence and decolonization in the region, as well as the long-standing and particular relationship that has linked the country to the organization since 1948. While highlighting the creativity, resilience, and human potential of the Haitian people, Albert Ramdin questioned the deep-rooted causes of the country's persistent difficulties after more than two centuries of independence.
Leadership, Vision, and Wealth Creation According to details in the statement, Albert Ramdin believes that development rests on three essential pillars: the mobilization of the people to create wealth, the existence of a clear and strategic political vision, and strong, responsible, and united leadership. He emphasized that international aid, while necessary, can only be complementary support and cannot replace the primary responsibility of Haitian leaders and civil society. The OAS official attributes persistent poverty in Haiti to insufficient wealth creation, a lack of sustainable jobs, and structural weaknesses in the education and vocational training system. Security and Governance as Priorities Also according to the statement, faced with the complexity of the Haitian crisis marked by insecurity, humanitarian emergencies, and institutional fragility, Albert Ramdin calls for a clear prioritization of actions, placing security at the heart of any stabilization strategy. He also advocates for Haitian-led governance, the holding of credible elections, and the active engagement of economic, political, and social elites in the country's development. The Diaspora at the Center of Concerns Dr. Joël Lorquet, for his part, stated that Haitians, particularly those living abroad, express deep weariness with the current crisis. According to the statement, he asked the OAS to further sensitize the international community to end a situation that has persisted for too long and to accelerate Haiti's development process. Responding to this appeal, Albert Ramdin indicated that the OAS gives absolute priority to Haiti. He acknowledged the diaspora's frustration and encouraged its more concrete engagement, while calling on Haitian leaders to recognize and integrate this potential into national priorities. Finally, according to the writer, a new paradigm must be adopted by the international community. He considers it unacceptable that a Caribbean country is still in such a situation in the 21st century and calls on Haitians to recognize the urgency of building a modern country, capable of offering dignified living conditions and curbing forced exodus. The editorial team
Leadership, Vision, and Wealth Creation According to details in the statement, Albert Ramdin believes that development rests on three essential pillars: the mobilization of the people to create wealth, the existence of a clear and strategic political vision, and strong, responsible, and united leadership. He emphasized that international aid, while necessary, can only be complementary support and cannot replace the primary responsibility of Haitian leaders and civil society. The OAS official attributes persistent poverty in Haiti to insufficient wealth creation, a lack of sustainable jobs, and structural weaknesses in the education and vocational training system. Security and Governance as Priorities Also according to the statement, faced with the complexity of the Haitian crisis marked by insecurity, humanitarian emergencies, and institutional fragility, Albert Ramdin calls for a clear prioritization of actions, placing security at the heart of any stabilization strategy. He also advocates for Haitian-led governance, the holding of credible elections, and the active engagement of economic, political, and social elites in the country's development. The Diaspora at the Center of Concerns Dr. Joël Lorquet, for his part, stated that Haitians, particularly those living abroad, express deep weariness with the current crisis. According to the statement, he asked the OAS to further sensitize the international community to end a situation that has persisted for too long and to accelerate Haiti's development process. Responding to this appeal, Albert Ramdin indicated that the OAS gives absolute priority to Haiti. He acknowledged the diaspora's frustration and encouraged its more concrete engagement, while calling on Haitian leaders to recognize and integrate this potential into national priorities. Finally, according to the writer, a new paradigm must be adopted by the international community. He considers it unacceptable that a Caribbean country is still in such a situation in the 21st century and calls on Haitians to recognize the urgency of building a modern country, capable of offering dignified living conditions and curbing forced exodus. The editorial team
