“It’s time for Haiti to reclaim its dignity by pushing out those who claim to help but quietly perpetuate our suffering.”
Politics | The Haitian Pulse Editorial Team | July 8, 2025
The recent arrest of Jacob Melvin Hart, a former youth pastor from San Juan Capistrano, California, has shaken communities in both Haiti and the United States. Federal authorities detained Hart at Miami International Airport after he returned from Cap‑Haïtien, Haiti, carrying 33 videos of child sexual abuse and over 160 AI-generated images of nude minors on his iPhone. Hart admitted to using online subscription services to create and trade these horrifying materials and now faces federal charges for the transportation and possession of child pornography.
Hart is no stranger to predatory behavior. In 2006, he was convicted in Oregon for planting a hidden camera in a girls’ bathroom at a Christian camp. Yet despite this dark past, he moved freely across borders and embedded himself in communities abroad—including Haiti. The fact that he could return to a nation grappling with so many challenges only to exploit its vulnerabilities should alarm every Haitian, both at home and in the diaspora.
A Nation Under Siege
This case is not an isolated incident. Over the years, Haiti has been flooded with a wave of NGOs and evangelical missions that claim to be rebuilding the nation, but many have operated under little accountability. While some provide genuine assistance, others have become breeding grounds for corruption, abuse, and exploitation—preying on the vulnerabilities of a struggling population.
“How many more predators will Haiti unknowingly welcome under the guise of charity and mission work?”
Haitians have seen it all before: organizations arriving with grand promises only to leave deeper wounds. From sexual exploitation scandals involving UN peacekeepers to missionaries found abusing their positions, the pattern is painfully clear. The lack of robust vetting, monitoring, and oversight has created a dangerous vacuum where predators thrive. And as these stories continue to emerge, a collective sense of betrayal deepens.
Sovereignty Must Be Asserted
Haiti cannot continue to be the playground for foreign actors with questionable intentions. The Haitian government has both the right and the responsibility to establish clear boundaries and enforce strict controls on NGOs and missions operating within its borders. Transparency must not be optional; it must be a prerequisite for any foreign entity wishing to work in Haiti.
“True aid empowers; it does not exploit. The time has come for Haiti to demand accountability or shut the door entirely.”
Evangelical missions in particular must face scrutiny. While faith-based work can be a source of hope and community, it must not serve as a cover for nefarious behavior. The Haitian people deserve to be protected from those who would use religion to mask predation.
The Heavy Cost of Inaction
Haiti’s political leaders must understand that their silence and inaction will only embolden those who prey on the vulnerable. Every child hurt, every family betrayed, and every community destabilized because of these foreign actors is a stain on the conscience of the nation. There can be no excuses for a government that fails to shield its people from such harm.
“When you open the door to everyone, you inevitably let wolves into the house.”
The time for polite diplomacy and cautious rhetoric is over. Haiti must take bold steps to protect its sovereignty and its people.
The Haitian Pulse Speaks
At The Haitian Pulse, we are clear: Haiti must reclaim its agency. It is time to draw a hard line and demand transparency, accountability, and respect from all foreign entities on our soil. If they cannot abide by the highest ethical standards, they must leave.
“Haiti is not a charity case. It is a nation with a proud history and the right to defend its children, its resources, and its dignity from those who would do harm under the banner of help.”
Haiti’s struggle is not just about rebuilding structures—it is about rebuilding trust in itself. The country’s future depends on leaders willing to prioritize the lives and safety of their people above all else. Only then will Haiti be able to rise from the ashes and stand proudly among nations.
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