As modern railways rise across Hispaniola, Haitians are still waiting—not for charity, but for what is rightfully theirs.
By The Haitian Pulse Editorial Team
In the heart of the Caribbean lies Hispaniola, an island divided not just by borders but by history and justice. To the east, the Dominican Republic flourishes with French-backed infrastructure projects—airports, bridges, and railways. To the west, Haiti languishes, its roads crumbling and its people yearning for the promise of independence long denied.
This stark contrast is not merely coincidental. It is the legacy of a colonial debt imposed upon Haiti by France in 1825, demanding 150 million gold francs as compensation for the loss of its colony. This "independence debt" crippled Haiti's economy for over a century, diverting resources that could have been used for development into the coffers of French banks and former slave owners.
The Debt That Stole a Nation’s Future
The terms of this indemnity were extortionate. Haiti, under threat of French military action, was coerced into agreeing to pay a sum equivalent to ten times its annual revenue. To meet these demands, Haiti was forced to take out loans from French banks, leading to a cycle of debt that persisted until 1947.
The economic repercussions were devastating. Funds that could have been invested in infrastructure, education, and healthcare were siphoned off to pay this unjust debt. The result was a nation deprived of the resources needed to build a prosperous future.
French Investments in the Dominican Republic
While Haiti struggled under the weight of its historical debt, the Dominican Republic, sharing the same island, has seen significant French investment in recent years. Projects include the construction of modern airports, bridges, and railways, enhancing the country's infrastructure and economic prospects.
This development raises questions about the disparity in treatment between the two nations. Why is France investing in the Dominican Republic while ignoring its historical responsibility to Haiti?
Calls for Reparations
In recent years, there has been a growing movement advocating for France to repay the debt imposed upon Haiti. Haitian civil society groups and international organizations argue that reparations are not merely a financial issue but a matter of justice and acknowledgment of historical wrongs.
French President Emmanuel Macron has acknowledged the injustice of the "independence debt" but has stopped short of offering financial reparations. Instead, he has proposed the creation of a joint commission to explore the shared history between France and Haiti.
Critics, however, view this as a stalling tactic, emphasizing that reparations are essential for justice and progress.
What France Owes—and What Haiti Deserves
France must:
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Acknowledge the crime—no more soft apologies.
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Pay back what it owes—not as aid, but as a return of stolen capital.
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**Respect Haiti’s sovereignty and the Haitian people’s right to rebuild on their own terms—with resources that were unjustly taken from them.
Let it be known: justice is not fulfilled until restitution is made.
Final Word: From Division to Unity
They built monuments from our blood. They laid tracks with our stolen future. But we are not broken—we are organizing.
Haitians are not asking for a favor. We are demanding what is rightfully ours. And we are calling for every Haitian—at home and abroad—to unite in that demand.
Because when we stand together, our voice echoes across oceans.
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