The country is desperate for fresh, principled leadership—not recycled actors from its broken political past.
Opinion | The Haitian Pulse | July 8, 2025
Haiti is standing at a critical crossroads.
For decades, Haitian citizens have watched their dreams of progress drowned by waves of corruption, opportunism, and violence. Since the fall of Duvalier in 1986, every attempt at national renewal has been sabotaged by the same faces and the same failed political games. Now, as Arnel Bélizaire attempts to resurface in the political arena, it raises critical questions about whether Haiti can afford to repeat the mistakes of its past.
“The nation is not looking for louder voices; it is looking for cleaner hands and sharper minds.”
A Troubling Record of Controversy
Arnel Bélizaire’s political journey has been anything but clean. As a former deputy in Haiti’s Parliament, he projected himself as a fierce defender of the people. But behind the speeches lies a pattern of actions that raise serious concerns about his commitment to justice and rule of law.
In 2005, Bélizaire was arrested and convicted on weapons possession charges and served time in prison. Though he later claimed his record had been cleared, critics argue his return to politics reflects a system where accountability is often absent.
In 2011, he was arrested again upon landing in Haiti, accused of illegally bypassing customs and violating national security protocols after returning from France. The arrest triggered a wave of outrage among his supporters, who called it political persecution. But for many Haitians, the incident symbolized a growing problem: politicians who act as though they are above the law.
“If leaders can break the rules without consequence, why should the rest of society respect them?” asked one Port-au-Prince resident in a radio interview at the time.
By 2013, Bélizaire’s controversial conduct had become fodder for online forums, where Haitians debated whether figures like him—“convicted yet untouchable”—should ever be allowed back into public service. One viral comment summed up the frustration: “A nation cannot be rebuilt by those who helped destroy it.”
Alleged Links to Destabilizing Networks
More recently, Bélizaire’s name surfaced in international headlines when Canada imposed sanctions on him in January 2023, accusing him of facilitating armed gangs and contributing to Haiti’s destabilization. While Bélizaire denies these accusations, the Canadian government maintains the sanctions were based on intelligence about political actors funding violence and profiting from corruption.
These allegations strike a nerve in Haiti, where gang violence has displaced thousands and paralyzed everyday life. Many citizens view any association with these networks as indefensible.
“Those who play with fire in the name of politics are the ones burning Haiti to the ground,” said a Haitian journalist covering gang activity in Port-au-Prince.
Always in Protest Mode
Since his emergence, Bélizaire has cultivated an image as a perpetual activist. He is often at the center of street demonstrations, calling out corruption and denouncing the ruling elite. But while protest is vital in any democracy, Bélizaire’s brand of politics has been criticized as destructive rather than constructive. His zeal for resistance rarely translates into actionable plans for governance or national reconstruction.
This pattern of perpetual opposition appeals to a population exhausted by hardship, but it also reinforces Haiti’s cycle of instability. Bélizaire reflects a familiar type of Haitian political actor: the loud disruptor who thrives in crisis but falters in building solutions.
“Leadership is not measured by the ability to shout in the streets but by the ability to chart a path forward,” observed a community organizer from Cap-Haïtien.
A Call for Fresh Blood
The reality is stark: anyone who has been part of Haiti’s political landscape from 1986 until today carries the weight of the system’s failure. They are products of a corrupted environment and cannot be trusted to guide the nation into a new era.
Haiti’s future depends on fresh minds and clean hands, on principled individuals capable of confronting not only foreign interference but also entrenched domestic interests.
Don’t Be Fooled Again
Bélizaire’s reappearance is not a sign of hope; it is a warning. His attempts to rebrand himself as a savior are viewed by many as a calculated move to capitalize on the population’s desperation. The next generation deserves better than this endless carousel of failed leaders pretending to offer change.
“Recycling the old guard guarantees more of the same. Progress demands a complete break from Haiti’s tainted political class.”
The Haitian Pulse Perspective
The Haitian Pulse delivers fearless, diasporic perspectives that challenge corruption, expose opportunism, and amplify the voices too often silenced. Its reporting bridges the gap between Haiti and its global diaspora, connecting local struggles to universal calls for justice, equity, and progress. Every story published is rooted in integrity and an unwavering commitment to a better future for Haiti and its people.
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