Investigative | The Haitian Pulse Editorial Team | August 4, 2025
A National Embarrassment in Santiago
Haiti is bleeding from every corner—politically, economically, and socially. And yet, even amid this national trauma, the individuals imposed into positions of power continue to act with staggering arrogance and ignorance—despite never having earned the trust or mandate of the Haitian people.
The most recent disgrace comes in the form of Smith Augustin, one of the nine members of the controversial Transitional Presidential Council (CPT). According to multiple sources and Dominican media reports, Augustin entered the Dominican Republic clandestinely, without notifying the relevant authorities. Upon arrival in Santiago, he was arrested by Dominican police who had no idea they were detaining someone claiming to be a “President” of Haiti.
When questioned, Augustin reportedly responded with confusion, eventually claiming to be a Haitian president. The police, understandably incredulous, mocked his statement and passed him off as delusional until they contacted the Haitian ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Emmanuel Fritz Longchamp himself—who then confirmed the identity of the detained man. The absurdity of the moment cannot be overstated: a so-called Haitian “President” had to be validated by a phone call.
Dignity Shattered, Protocols Ignored
This incident is not just a diplomatic failure—it’s a symbol of how far Haiti’s dignity has fallen under this puppet leadership. The Dominican authorities had every reason to question the legitimacy of someone claiming presidential powers while acting like a common fugitive. The fact that a supposed executive figure could cross into foreign territory without informing his counterpart government only deepens the humiliation.
“If we cannot expect dignity and protocol from those who call themselves ‘presidents,’ what future are we building?” asked a political analyst in Port-au-Prince. “This isn’t just a mistake. It’s a manifestation of how unserious and dangerous these individuals are.”
Not Elected, But Imposed
Let’s be clear—none of the CPT members were elected by the Haitian people. They were hand-picked, negotiated, and installed through backdoor deals brokered by CARICOM and the U.S. State Department. These are not leaders chosen by the will of the people; they are mercenaries dressed as diplomats.
“The CPT was not entrusted to lead. It was shoved down the throat of a suffering population that never asked for this governance experiment,” declared one diaspora leader in Miami. “Smith Augustin is a walking example of how foreign-imposed solutions end in disaster.”
What Does This Mean for Haiti?
This incident, while laughable on its surface, is a serious blow to Haiti’s already crumbling international credibility. When a member of the transitional government can’t even travel properly, what does it say about the council’s capacity to restore order, oversee elections, or rebuild institutions?
More importantly, it signals that the rest of the world is watching Haiti descend further into dysfunction. The Dominican authorities’ initial disbelief, followed by ridicule, is a metaphor for how little respect Haitian officials now command abroad.
A Turning Point?
Augustin’s arrest could mark a turning point if the Haitian people decide to take this humiliation as a wake-up call. The level of corruption, incompetence, and foreign dependence within the CPT is unsustainable. Many believe this is just the beginning—that a tidal wave of arrests and exposures may follow.
“It is fair to say that a significant number of arrests will follow,” a former Haitian prosecutor told The Haitian Pulse. “This could spell the beginning of justice for the Haitian people.”
Augustin, once considered a sophisticated political actor, now finds himself the face of Haiti’s shame. His future in politics is likely finished. His credibility—both domestically and internationally—is in ruins. He will not be remembered as a statesman, but as a cautionary tale of what happens when unqualified individuals are handed power without accountability.
A People Pushed to the Brink
Haitians across the globe are rightfully outraged. Diaspora communities in New York, Miami, and Montreal have already begun calling for public denunciations and accountability.
“We are tired of being embarrassed. Tired of being ignored. Tired of seeing the wrong people in charge while the country burns,” said a Haitian-American community organizer in New Jersey. “Enough is enough.”
The Haitian Pulse Will Not Be Silent
At The Haitian Pulse, we are committed to exposing corruption, questioning authority, and holding those in power accountable—whether elected or imposed.
This arrest is more than a diplomatic blunder. It’s a mirror reflecting the dysfunction, dishonor, and degradation that plague Haitian leadership. But it can also be a spark. A turning point. A catalyst for a national awakening.
“Smith Augustin’s humiliation must not be forgotten—it must be used as fuel to demand better, fight harder, and finally, rebuild what corrupt regimes have destroyed.”
The Haitian Pulse urges every Haitian at home and abroad to remain vigilant, informed, and unrelenting in the demand for integrity, transparency, and leadership worthy of the nation’s long and painful history. The time to rise is now.
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