PAP Times | Haitian News – Haiti News – Port au Prince Times – Haiti Times – Times https://paptimes.net -------- | Haitian News – Haiti News – Port au Prince Times – Haiti Times - Times Tue, 05 Aug 2025 17:35:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://i0.wp.com/paptimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/cropped-pap-times-logo.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 PAP Times | Haitian News – Haiti News – Port au Prince Times – Haiti Times – Times https://paptimes.net 32 32 215424019 U.S. May Require $15,000 Bond for Certain B1/B2 Visa Applicants https://paptimes.net/news/u-s-may-require-15000-bond-for-certain-b1-b2-visa-applicants/ Tue, 05 Aug 2025 17:35:20 +0000 https://paptimes.net/?p=3674

According to a report by CNN on Monday, the U.S. State Department is considering imposing a $15,000 bond on applicants for tourist and business visas (B1/B2) from certain countries. CNN says the official document could be released as early as Tuesday, with the measure set to take effect 15 days after publication.

So far, no official list of the affected countries has been disclosed. However, CNN notes that Washington has already imposed restrictions on several nations, including Haiti, whose citizens are currently ineligible for B1/B2 visas.

The measure, presented as a way to deter visa overstays, is already drawing criticism from observers who see it as yet another barrier to international mobility and a further tightening of U.S. entry requirements.

]]>
3674
UN Extends BINUH Mandate in Haiti Until January 2026 https://paptimes.net/national-news/un-extends-binuh-mandate-in-haiti-until-january-2026/ Tue, 15 Jul 2025 21:20:05 +0000 https://paptimes.net/?p=3670

The United Nations Security Council unanimously voted on Monday, July 14, to extend the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) until January 31, 2026, reaffirming its commitment to supporting peace, stability, and the rule of law in the crisis-ridden Caribbean nation.

Established in 2019, BINUH was designed to assist the Haitian government in strengthening democratic institutions, promoting human rights, reforming the justice system, and preparing for credible elections.

It replaced the previous UN peacekeeping and justice missions with a more focused, advisory structure.

]]>
3670
UN Report: Nearly 5,000 Killed in Haiti Amid Expanding Gang Violence https://paptimes.net/news/un-report-nearly-5000-killed-in-haiti-amid-expanding-gang-violence/ Sun, 13 Jul 2025 12:35:42 +0000 https://paptimes.net/?p=3665

A new United Nations report paints a grim picture of the deteriorating security situation in Haiti. Between October 2024 and June 2025, nearly 5,000 people have been killed, the majority in and around Port-au-Prince. The violence is largely attributed to heavily armed gangs fighting for control over key neighborhoods, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire.

What alarms the UN most is the rapid expansion of this violence beyond the capital. Once relatively calm regions such as Artibonite, the Central Plateau, and parts of the South are now experiencing attacks, kidnappings, and roadblocks set up by criminal groups. This spread reflects the weakening of state authority and the growing reach of gang networks into rural and semi-urban communities.

The humanitarian consequences are severe. Health facilities are closing due to insecurity, aid convoys are being hijacked, and medical personnel are fleeing volatile areas. As a result, thousands of Haitians are left without access to basic healthcare, food, or protection, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.

The UN is calling for urgent international action. It urges both the Haitian authorities and the global community to prioritize restoring security, protecting civilians, and ensuring safe humanitarian access. Without a coordinated and decisive response, Haiti risks sliding even further into chaos and lawlessness.

]]>
3665
Haiti – On the Brink of Collapse: Gangs Rule, the State Retreats https://paptimes.net/news/haiti-on-the-brink-of-collapse-gangs-rule-the-state-retreats/ Wed, 09 Jul 2025 17:08:47 +0000 https://paptimes.net/?p=3662

The Republic of Haiti inches closer to total collapse with each passing day. Armed gangs now assert near-total control over the capital, while the Haitian state appears powerless—reduced to a mere bystander. The United Nations has described the situation as “alarming and unprecedented,” warning of a deepening humanitarian disaster affecting millions.

Recent assessments indicate that criminal groups now control nearly 90% of Port-au-Prince, including major roads, ports, national highways, and entire districts across the metropolitan area. Pétion-Ville—once considered a safe haven—is no longer exempt. Violence has spread unchecked, turning the capital into a war zone in all but name.

The consequences are devastating:

  • Over 1.3 million internally displaced people, crowded into makeshift shelters with little access to basic services.
  • Schools are shut down, hospitals unreachable, businesses paralyzed.
  • Widespread human rights abuses, including killings, kidnappings, and sexual violence.

“This is no longer a crisis. It’s a silent war against the civilian population,” says a senior staff member of an international NGO operating in Tabarre.

]]>
3662
U.S. Ends TPS for Haitians: Thousands Face Uncertain Future https://paptimes.net/news/u-s-ends-tps-for-haitians-thousands-face-uncertain-future/ Fri, 27 Jun 2025 19:39:24 +0000 https://paptimes.net/?p=3658

The Biden administration has officially announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians living in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed on June 27, 2025, that the program will expire on September 2, 2025, affecting tens of thousands of Haitians who have relied on TPS for legal protection and work authorization.

For many, the decision is devastating. Haitian TPS holders have lived in the U.S. for years—some for more than a decade—building families, working legally, and contributing to American communities. The looming loss of status means that, come September, they could be at risk of deportation to a country grappling with political instability, widespread violence, and economic collapse.

Immigrant rights organizations and elected officials are calling the move reckless and inhumane. Legal challenges are already underway, with advocates arguing that Haiti remains unsafe for return. The country is currently facing unprecedented levels of gang violence, displacement, and governmental paralysis, conditions that critics say directly contradict DHS claims that the situation has “sufficiently improved.”

With less than three months before the protection ends, Haitian TPS holders are scrambling to find other immigration pathways, including asylum, marriage-based residency, or other legal relief. As families brace for difficult decisions, many are pleading with U.S. lawmakers to reconsider or intervene. For now, their fate hangs in the balance of court rulings and political will.

]]>
3658
French Ambassador’s Surprise Visit to Kenscoff Amid Rising Insecurity https://paptimes.net/news/french-ambassadors-surprise-visit-to-kenscoff-amid-rising-insecurity/ Mon, 23 Jun 2025 09:44:50 +0000 https://paptimes.net/?p=3655

On Sunday, June 22, 2025, Antoine Michon, the French Ambassador to Haiti, made an unexpected visit to Kenscoff, a commune struggling with escalating insecurity in recent months. The visit caught residents off guard as several areas in Kenscoff remain under the control of armed gangs, making the security situation fragile.

Despite these challenges, the ambassador met with local officials and community leaders to discuss development projects focused on roads, education, and healthcare. This visit demonstrates France’s commitment to supporting local initiatives, even in areas severely impacted by violence.

For the residents, the visit brought both hope and concern. Many see it as a sign of potential improvement in their daily lives, while others fear that ongoing insecurity will hinder the effectiveness of any external aid. The presence of armed groups continues to disrupt basic services and discourage investment.

This visit reflects a diplomatic effort to engage with communities facing hardship despite difficult circumstances. The success of such initiatives will largely depend on the Haitian authorities’ ability to restore peace and security in Kenscoff.

]]>
3655
Haiti: Former Officials Summoned as Moïse Assassination Probe Gains New Momentum https://paptimes.net/news/haiti-former-officials-summoned-as-moise-assassination-probe-gains-new-momentum/ Wed, 18 Jun 2025 09:37:57 +0000 https://paptimes.net/?p=3651

More than three years after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse inside his private residence in Pèlerin 5, the investigation appears to be entering a new phase. The Court of Appeal in Port-au-Prince has issued formal summonses to several high-profile former officials, including Martine Moïse, the late president’s widow; Claude Joseph, former Prime Minister; and Léon Charles, former Director General of the Haitian National Police.

These individuals are expected to appear before the court as part of hearings focused on their possible roles—whether direct or indirect—in the events of July 7, 2021. The move comes amid a long-stalled judicial process, plagued by a revolving door of investigative judges, threats against magistrates, political interference, and persistent legal irregularities.

In some quarters, the court’s decision is being hailed as a rare sign of life from Haiti’s embattled judiciary, which has often been criticized for its paralysis. Civil society groups have welcomed the development as a “courageous step” toward uncovering the truth, while urging that the renewed momentum not be reduced to mere political theater.

However, the timing of these summonses has raised eyebrows. Haiti remains mired in a deep political transition, with widespread distrust in public institutions. Critics argue that the sudden revival of the Moïse case could be a strategic distraction—an attempt by political actors to shift attention away from ongoing crises, including rampant insecurity, failed reforms, and growing rifts within the transitional Presidential Council.

As the public watches closely, the coming days will reveal whether this renewed judicial effort marks a genuine pursuit of justice—or yet another episode in a saga marked by opacity and manipulation.

]]>
3651
The Forgotten Crisis: Haiti’s Internally Displaced Trapped in Misery https://paptimes.net/news/the-forgotten-crisis-haitis-internally-displaced-trapped-in-misery/ Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:03:39 +0000 https://paptimes.net/?p=3648

Haiti is now home to an alarming 1.29 million internally displaced people (IDPs), according to the latest figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This staggering number highlights the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the country.

Driven from their homes by gang violence and urban warfare, thousands of families have taken refuge in makeshift shelters—often without access to clean water, healthcare, or education.In the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, rows of tents stretch endlessly, forming camps where fear and deprivation dominate daily life.

These displaced communities live under constant threat, as clashes between armed groups continue to destabilize nearby neighborhoods. The Haitian government describes the situation as “transitional,” yet on the ground, no sustainable solution appears to be in sight.Humanitarian organizations are raising the alarm.

Without a national resettlement and aid plan, the crisis is bound to deepen. NGOs warn that both the Haitian state and its international partners must act swiftly and decisively.

Otherwise, these uprooted families will remain trapped in limbo—forgotten victims of a conflict that is rapidly consuming the entire country.

]]>
3648
AKSYON PATRIYOTIK (A.P) Calls for Nationwide Mobilization Against the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) https://paptimes.net/news/patriotic-actigfddon-a-p-calls-for-nationwide-mobilization-against-the-transitional-presidential-council-cpt/ Mon, 19 May 2025 18:56:02 +0000 https://paptimes.net/?p=3637

The Haitian political party AKSYON PATRIYOTIK (A.P) is urging all segments of society to rise up and mobilize against the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), which it accuses of mismanaging public funds and deepening the country’s insecurity and instability.

Determined to usher in a new era of integrity and accountability in Haitian politics, AKSYON PATRIYOTIK (A.P) reaffirms its commitment to five key national priorities:

  1. Restoration of security
  2. Funding for internally displaced persons (IDPs)
  3. Resignation of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT)
  4. Appointment of a new Supreme Court judge
  5. Free, fair, and democratic elections

The party strongly denounces what it calls excessive and unjustified spending by the CPT, particularly the 400 million gourdes (over 3 million USD) disbursed for the May 18, 2025 Flag Day celebration in Cap-Haïtien. According to A.P, the money only benefited a small elite circle — especially the current president of the council, Mr. Fritz Alphonse Jean — while the Haitian people continue to suffer from extreme poverty and violence.

“In the name of the Haitian people, we categorically condemn the disrespectful, corrupt, and selfish behavior of the nine CPT members who are enriching themselves at the taxpayers’ expense,” declared party leaders.

As part of its fight against impunity, AKSYON PATRIYOTIK (A.P) has also launched international efforts, engaging in discussions with foreign lawmakers to push for the expansion of United Nations sanctions imposed since 2024 on several Haitian political figures, including members of the CPT. These efforts aim to reinforce sanctions such as asset freezes and property seizures in jurisdictions like the United States, Canada, and others.

Finally, the party issues a call to action to Haiti’s youth, political organizations, and all groups not aligned with the CPT, urging them to join forces to build a new political future guided by the ideals of Haiti’s founding fathers and committed to the collective good.

Pride and commitment to our nation!

Fritzgerald CHEVALIER
President

Fenley CIUS
Vice President for International Affairs

Abed-Negod PAUL, Esq.
Secretary General

]]>
3637
PNH Regains Control After Armed Attack on Furcy Police Substation https://paptimes.net/news/pnh-regains-control-after-armed-attack-on-furcy-police-substation/ Fri, 09 May 2025 19:06:44 +0000 https://paptimes.net/?p=3633

On the night of May 8, 2025, a group of heavily armed individuals launched a coordinated attack on the police substation in Kenscoff, aiming to disrupt public order and seize control of the facility.

The assault, which occurred under the cover of darkness, caused panic among local residents.The Haitian National Police (PNH) reacted swiftly. Specialized units were deployed to the scene, engaging in a well-coordinated counter-offensive.

After several hours of tension, the PNH successfully repelled the attackers and regained full control of the substation. According to official reports, no officers were injured during the operation.During the cleanup operation, several weapons and large quantities of ammunition were seized—abandoned by the fleeing assailants.

The PNH praised the courage, professionalism, and discipline demonstrated by its officers during the crisis.To prevent any further attacks, additional patrols and checkpoints have been set up across the commune.

Authorities are also urging residents to remain alert and report any suspicious activity.This incident is the latest in a string of attacks targeting public institutions in Haiti.

Despite ongoing security challenges, the PNH reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to defending state infrastructure and ensuring the safety of the population.

]]>
3633