The True Cost of Laurent Saint-Cyr’s Trip to Qatar: What About the Announced $44 Million?

Doha, November 2025. As of November 7, Laurent Saint-Cyr has reached the 50% mark of his term. With 92 days left, the Presidential Advisor’s mission remains blurry and unproductive. While the nation was still counting its dead following Hurricane Melissa, Saint-Cyr embarked on a prestigious tour to Doha, accompanied by his Chief of Staff and family members, at an estimated cost to taxpayers of over 20 million gourdes.

Diplomacy or Personal Public Relations? Beyond attending a UN summit and a U-17 national team match, the trip focused on the appointment of a new ambassador, Pierre Richard Cajuste. Many see this as a strategic move to control potential Qatari funds. While Qatar has historically invested in Haiti (notably through FOKAL and the IDB), it suspended direct disbursements to the Haitian state years ago due to a lack of transparency.

The $44 Million Discrepancy The most troubling aspect remains the $44 million “promise.” No official communiqué from Doha mentions such a gift during this summit. Records show that exactly $44 million was granted by the IDB, the EAA Foundation, and the GPE back in April 2024 to support Haiti’s Ministry of Education over five years. Is Saint-Cyr trying to claim credit for a year-old deal?

At the mid-point of his mandate, Laurent Saint-Cyr earns the reputation of a tireless traveler disconnected from national emergencies. The country deserves to know exactly what these trips are costing and what—if anything—they are actually bringing to Haiti.