As part of the celebration of the 95th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Haiti, Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, provides a historical reminder of what unites the two countries:

"Today we commemorate 95 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations with the oldest Republic in Latin America and the Caribbean: Haiti, founded in 1804. The origin of our bond, however, dates back to 1816, when the insurgent General Francisco Javier Mina went to Haiti to meet the President of the young Republic of Haiti, Alexandre Pétion, to seek his support in the process of independence of our Homeland. The response was positive and Mina received funding, weapons and men, who joined the fight for Mexican independence.

As in the case of other independence struggles of sister republics, Haiti was a beacon of light, illuminating our Mexican heroes with its libertarian inspiration.

Later, during the second half of the 20th century, the Mexican tradition of asylum became one of the cornerstones that forged our bilateral relationship, when we welcomed hundreds of Haitians fleeing the dictatorial regimes of Francis and Jean-Claude Duvalier, notably between 1956 and 1986. Many of them have contributed and continue to do so to our Nation in various fields. This vibrant Haitian community established in Mexican territory reflects the bonds of friendship and fraternity that unite our peoples.

More recently, in recent years, Mexico has reaffirmed its vocation of solidarity with the Haitian people, by providing humanitarian aid in the face of natural disasters occurring in this country, such as the 2010 earthquake, the passage of Hurricane Matthew in 2016. and the one which affected the southern peninsula of Haiti in 2021.

Today, faced with the most urgent challenges facing Haiti in terms of peace and security, democratic consolidation and sustainable development, Mexico continues to tirelessly promote a cooperation program focused on the institutional strengthening of this sister nation. Our country has implemented collaborative programs in the areas of security, health, cholera control, agriculture and the fight against climate change, among others. It is also worth noting the constant training that we have provided to at least 762 officers belonging to the Haitian Armed Forces.

Faced with this panorama, Mexico is a proactive and constructive actor, as evidenced by the invitation our country received to participate in the meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, on March 11, during which a political agreement was reached between different forces which allowed the installation of the current Presidential Transitional Council and the appointment of Garry Conille to the post of Prime Minister. Mexico then stressed that a lasting and permanent solution could only come from the Haitian context and include all actors, without foreign interference and with the determined and real support of the international community.

Mexico and Haiti share a history, but also a Caribbean cultural heritage that brings us together and which is generally manifested in artistic and cultural traditions and expressions such as music, dance and gastronomy. With increasing contact between our peoples, we move closer to the future and hand in hand with more binational families.

With this fraternal spirit and as sister nations, there is no doubt: we will continue to strengthen our historic relations."

Alicia Bárcena Ibarra Secretary of Foreign Relations of Mexico.

See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-42719-icihaiti-mexico-a-lottery-ticket-commemorates-95-years-of-diplomatic-relations-with-haiti.html

HL/ HaitiLibre