At 45% of His Mandate, Laurent Saint-Cyr Jets Off to Qatar, Turning His Back on Hurricane Melissa Victims

This departure has sparked widespread outrage. Critics argue that Saint-Cyr, who will not face an election, is acting more like a strategic pawn for a specific group than a leader for the Haitian people. Known as the Council member with the most trips but zero useful bilateral results, his mission appears increasingly personal. Even the Presidency’s communication team seemed hesitant, only releasing departure photos late in the evening to announce his participation in the “Second World Summit for Social Development” in Doha.

A Questionable Agenda The summit takes place from November 4 to 6. Why leave Haiti as early as October 31? What does he have to gain by attending a social development summit when he was just with world leaders in New York on September 23? More importantly, why prioritize this trip over the despair of a population currently footing the bill for his travels?

Blatant Cynicism While the international community rallies to help Haiti, Saint-Cyr remains silent. No messages of sympathy, no condolences for the grieving families, and not a word of thanks to the nations providing humanitarian aid. “Who are the Haitians to deserve Laurent Saint-Cyr’s sympathy?” observers ask.

A Grieving Nation The latest Civil Protection report lists at least 30 dead, 20 injured, and 20 missing. In Petit-Goâve and the Nippes, homes and livestock have been swept away. In Les Cayes, thousands are huddled in temporary shelters. While Leslie Voltaire steps in to play the permanent “firefighter” to fill Saint-Cyr’s void, the Coordinator’s absence feels like a betrayal.

Whether it is indifference, incompetence, or simple insensitivity, Saint-Cyr’s choice to fly away while his country drowns marks a low point in this transition.

Brigitte Benshow