As the government enforces vehicle registration in a country without passable roads, Haitians demand justice, accountability, and a complete reimagining of national mobility.
By The Haitian Pulse Editorial Team
In a nation gripped by systemic collapse, the Haitian government has once again demonstrated its detachment from the people it claims to serve. As gang violence shuts down major highways, and public infrastructure crumbles into disrepair, the state has taken the astonishing step of demanding that vehicle owners register their vehicles—a requirement that, in any functioning society, might seem routine. But in Haiti, where most roads are unpassable, the demand is not only tone-deaf—it is an insult.
Drivers are being forced to pay for the right to operate in a country where operating a vehicle is practically impossible. Roads are either blocked, broken, or occupied by armed gangs who extort drivers at makeshift checkpoints. In this chaotic context, the government's insistence on vehicle registration is not governance—it's extortion.
“Se alèz yo twò alèz nan peyi a ki fè yap ranse avèk nou konsa,” one driver said. “Se dezobeyisans sivil li dwe ye nan tout sektè.”
Civil disobedience, many believe, is the only response left to a population cornered by corruption, criminality, and incompetence.
Millions for Sunrise Airways While the People Suffer
Weeks ago, the Haitian government allocated $11 million to Sunrise Airways to facilitate cross-country flights. The move was presented as a solution to gang-controlled roads, but in reality, it only deepened the divide between the privileged few and the struggling majority.
Flights operated by Sunrise remain inaccessible to 90% of the population. Tickets cost as much as $243.50 for a 25- to 30-minute flight, placing air travel firmly out of reach for most Haitians. These routes serve primarily the elite, diplomats, and members of the diaspora. The average Haitian, who cannot safely drive from one town to another, is left stranded while taxpayer money subsidizes a private airline.
According to Sunrise president Philippe Bayard, the $11 million is not a direct investment but a financial guarantee to support operational continuity. Yet no effort has been made to ensure that this investment lowers prices or expands access for the majority. In effect, the Haitian government is using public funds to underwrite luxury travel.
A Nation Trapped
Meanwhile, Haiti remains paralyzed. The roads are dangerous or completely blocked. The airports are militarized zones. The ports are underutilized. Citizens trying to travel across the country must weigh the risk of being kidnapped, extorted, or killed. Public transportation is at a standstill.
There is no plan for reopening national roads. No plan for fixing basic infrastructure. No plan for investing in affordable, ground-based transportation. Instead, there are fines, fees, and bureaucratic demands aimed at a population with no options.
The Call for Civil Disobedience
This is not just a transportation crisis. It is a crisis of justice, equity, and common sense. Many Haitians are calling for mass civil disobedience. They argue that no citizen should be obligated to pay taxes or fees to a government that offers nothing in return. They reject the notion that criminal governance deserves legal compliance.
A growing number of grassroots leaders are urging all sectors of society to stand in solidarity with drivers. As one protester put it:
“Nou pa gen yon goud ankò pou nou bay kriminèl sa’a yo ki nan tèt peyi a.”
Reimagining Mobility and Access
Haiti doesn’t just need new roads—it needs a new vision. That vision must prioritize public access, not private gain. It must center the needs of the population, not the profits of a few well-connected firms. It must understand that freedom of movement is not a luxury; it is a right.
This moment calls for:
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Immediate suspension of vehicle registration fees until infrastructure is restored.
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Independent oversight of government contracts like the Sunrise Airways deal.
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Massive reinvestment in road repairs, bus lines, and public transit.
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A national dialogue on equitable mobility and safety.
A Nation Demands Answers
The Haitian people are tired of surviving under siege. They deserve transparency. They deserve dignity. They deserve a government that responds to their needs instead of exploiting their vulnerability.
Until that happens, the pulse of the nation will beat with anger, resistance, and the unshakable belief that another Haiti is not only possible—it is necessary.
At The Haitian Pulse, we cover stories others overlook. Our reporting is bold, raw, and rooted in the reality lived by everyday Haitians. We shine a light on injustice, demand accountability, and amplify the voices too often ignored. We do not sanitize the truth—we expose it, in all its complexity and urgency. This is journalism with purpose, fueled by the belief that informed citizens create unstoppable movements. We encourage you to share your toughts below.
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