Haiti faces state collapse as gangs control vast territories and the government lacks power.

• Armed gangs in Haiti control significant territory, including 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
• The gangs operate with impunity, establishing checkpoints and effectively holding the country hostage by controlling access to imports and crucial supplies.
• The Haitian government is nearly nonexistent, with no elected officials remaining after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse marks a deepening of Haiti's political instability.

• President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated by unidentified gunmen, leading to further turmoil.
• No elections have been held in Haiti since 2016, and Moïse's appointed successor, Ariel Henry, ascended to power without ratification.
• Accusations suggest Henry's possible involvement in Moïse's assassination to seize power.

Natural disasters and gang violence have escalated in Haiti, causing significant loss of life and economic damage.

• A devastating earthquake in August 2021 caused immense human and economic loss.
• Gang violence surged following the political and natural disasters, with thousands killed in 2023 alone.
• The U.S. urged citizens to leave Haiti due to the dangerous conditions.

The international community's response and the Haitian refugee crisis are addressed.

• Over 100,000 Haitians have fled due to the crisis, with many encountering danger in their journey to seek asylum in the United States.
• The UN has authorized an armed intervention led by Kenya, funded by the U.S., to restore order and government authority in Haiti.

The Dominican Republic builds a wall to separate itself from Haiti, reflecting divergent paths.

• The Dominican Republic is constructing a border wall to further separate from Haiti.
• The wall, equipped with modern surveillance, aims to prevent Haitians from crossing the border, highlighting the stark contrast in development between the two countries.

The historical and economic factors contributing to the divergence of Haiti and the Dominican Republic are explored.

• Colonial exploitation and the French Indemnity have deeply impacted Haiti's economic development.
• The Dominican Republic, with a more stable history and no such indemnity, has been able to invest in its development.
• The disparity between the two countries continues to grow, with the Dominican Republic on the path to becoming a developed nation.

Haiti faces contemporary challenges that hinder its progress, while the Dominican Republic advances.

• Haiti struggles with political instability, lack of infrastructure, and extreme poverty.
• The Dominican Republic is advancing towards a high-income status, with a booming economy and better living standards.
• The contrast between the two countries highlights the urgency of addressing Haiti's complex issues.

Examining the historical context that led to Haiti's modern crisis.

• Haiti's history of colonial exploitation, oppressive debts, and political strife has set the stage for its current crisis.
• External factors, including the French Indemnity and U.S. interventions, have compounded Haiti's struggles.
• The contrast with the Dominican Republic's history illustrates how divergent paths have been shaped over centuries.

Contemporary issues that have exacerbated Haiti's modern crisis are discussed.

• Haiti's recent history is marked by natural disasters, political assassinations, and the rise of gang violence.
• The international community's interventions have been unable to establish lasting stability in the country.
• Haiti's challenges are compounded by its geographic vulnerability to natural disasters and its high population density.