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Cayes - Haiti Observer Blog
Cayes, Haiti Observer Blog. Read the following articles about Cayes
Haitian Government Accused of Establishing Paramilitary Force in Les Cayes, "Le Police"
The Haitian government is currently in hiatus and conflict due to the emergence of a militant group claiming to be associated with the country's most powerful individual, the President. A group of fugitives who referred to themselves as "The Police" recently publicly claimed to have a connection with Haitian President Michel Martelly's political party. They have transformed themselves as the paramilitary force of Les Cayes' police department and are currently well-armed.
Les Cayes' government commissioner, Jean-Marie Salomon, announced that he has information on the identity of the group's members, mostly with criminal backgrounds and some having escaped from prison. With all the fuss on The Police's claim of being part of a strong political party, the Commissioner declined in confirming the group's political affiliation. This has worried the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH), especially in terms of the safety and security of Haiti's southern department. RNDDH's Executive Director Pierre Espérance believes that The Police belonged to Martelly's Tet Kale Party and was supposedly formed by Haiti's Minister of Justice Jean Renel Sanon in order to commit repression in the country.
Devastating Consequences For Haiti following Hurricane sandy
Haiti is dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which killed dozens of people and damaged crops in the country late last month. Reports said that more than 50 people died and others went missing when strong rains and winds wreaked havoc in the country, especially in the southern part. Heavy downpour continued for three days, causing widespread floods and road blockades. Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe said earlier that the entire South was submerged. In the southern city of Les Cayes, most neighborhoods were flooded and hundreds of people lost their homes.
Hurricane Sandy destroyed concrete homes and even tent camps, where about 370,000 people who were still affected by the 2010 earthquake, were taking refuge. Crops were also damaged, with the production of bananas and breadfruit, which are main staples in the country, hampered.
Donald Guerrier, Volunteer Ambassador for the Promotion of South of Haiti
The Haitian soccer player, Wilde Donald Guerrier, is a rising star not only in his homeland, but also in the international football scene. The 23-year old currently belongs to the Haiti National Football Team as a Defender under the number 23. Guerrier is also a member of the popular Haitian football club América des Cayes and holds a record of nine caps and one goal while playing for the national team for the past three years. He is known in the field for his speed and agility.
Donald Guerrier, along with his other team mates, are regarded as football heroes by their fellow Haitians especially during the 2010 earthquake, the series of hurricanes, and the cholera outbreak that hit the country. Despite these tragedies, the national team never lost their passion and goal in finally qualifying for the World Cup to represent Haiti. Every win by the team gives pride to the nation and at the same time inspires young Haitians to pursue and excel in sports. Football and other sports are perceived as one way Haiti could get into the international market and provides room for economic growth and national unity.
Historic Convictions of Eight Police Officers Show Haiti Judicial System Capable of Integrity
The Haiti National Police (HNP), an historically under-funded, under-recruited, and politically-influenced by ex-members of the Haitian Army, have been accused of killing-at-will suspects believed to have been involved in criminal activity. They have also been implicated in gang-related crimes either on- or off-duty.
Haiti's judicial system has failed to adequately address either alleged police abuse, or on-going gang activity in Port-au-Prince. Haiti's police force does investigate criminal incidents, but stops short of securing convictions. The problem of witness fear in testifying is one of the obstacles. Another barrier is that oftentimes police officers resume their duties before completion of the investigations.
Thousands of People in Cap-Haitian in the Street against Michel Martelly
On Friday, September 21, 2012, thousands of people took to streets in the second city of Haiti, Cap-Haitian, to demonstrate against Martelly - Lamothe government. Barricades made of tires, stones and garbage were erected in several areas of the city. Traffic was difficult in many areas and in the neighborhood of La Fossettete and Cite Lescot where the tires were burning, impossible.
The people demonstrating were throwing slogans to show their dissatisfaction with the current policy of the government. They chanted against recent increase in food price and government corruption. Some of the people in the crowd were asking for Martelly to leave the government.
A wave of Anti-government protest in in Cap-Haitian and Cayes
The population has been until recently very patient with the Haitian government. In the mean time, the Martelly - Lamothe government has been trying to get the economic engine of Haiti running but to little success so far. This week, the second largest city, Cap-Haitian, and the third largest city, Les Cayes, have demonstrated publically their frustration with the current government.
Hundreds of people took to the streets in the city of Cap-Haitian on Wednesday to protest against the deterioration of their living conditions. Some of the protesters denounced the recent behavior of the government, calling it continuous propaganda campaign
Michel Domingue Reluctant Leader of Haiti
Michel Domingue, 13th President of Haiti, began life in Les Cayes in 1813. Coming from an educated background, he attended military school where he graduated. A natural military leader, he was appointed a commander over army troops in the South Department, after graduation.
The Council of Secretaries of State (CSS), the then-current ruling body, appointed Domingue President of Haiti in June of 1874. Domingue, reluctant to assume many duties of office, appointed Septimus Rameau, a high-level official of the CSS to administer public functions of ruling. Rameau and Domingue were opposites, Rameau tyrannical and oppressive, Domingue retiring and melancholic.
Domingue's greatest strength lay in foreign policy. Upon assuming office, he negotiated a peace treaty with the Dominican Republic (DR), ending a brutal border conflict of several years duration. Author of the treaty, he sent both Rameau and Chief of Staff, General N. Léger, to Santo Domingo to draw up the accord. It was successfully signed into law on January 20, 1875.
Haiti's Tourism Sector Though Yele Foundation and Government Initiatives
Haiti has been gaining favor from many tourists but the current tourism sector state has been playing to its disadvantage. Despite the fact that there are several Hotel, Institution and Tourism Training centers in the country, it's evident that they need to undergo some evolution to keep up with the pace of the dynamic tourism industry.
Two programs, HEAT project which was pioneered by Yele Foundation and the other project under Ministry of Tourism, have been running in collaboration to create an overall positive impact on Haiti's tourism industry through Hospitality, Hotel and institution management. The Hospitality Education and Training project was initiated to offer highly professional training to students in various Hospitality training institutions in Haiti.
Les Cayes, the biggest winner in Haiti for 2012 with the Carnival
Haiti Carnival, simply the most anticipated celebration in the Caribbean Islands drawing in thousands of worldwide tourists to experience the enchanting festivities the island has to offer.
Every inch of the Island is lavished with the golden colors of Carnival, be it Port-Au-Prince or any other part of Haiti, escaping the festivities is impossible. In 2012, the entire Carnival event will take place in the third city of Haiti, Les Cayes.
Naturally with such a host and variety of people flocking to the entire region of the South in Haiti, a huge boost in the economy would be hoped for.
Mob Violence In la Plaine and Les cayes over Petty Thefts
In recent months, outbreaks of senseless violence have occurred in Port-au-Prince and Les Cayes. Angry crowds of people have beaten to death young people they suspected of thievery, for something as minor as the theft of a mobile phone.
Saturday last, Port-au-Prince police reported cremated remains of two suspects and hanging of a third, by hostile bands of citizens. In La Plaine, police discovered incinerated bodies of two victims hog-tied, and a third also burned and hog-tied, found on Route National 2, near Port-au-Prince. In another violent incident in Santo, three young suspects accused of stealing motorcycles--in which one suspect escaped--were stoned and beaten with tire irons and set on fire.
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