Colombian President Gustavo Petro has made his second visit to Haiti in 2025, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting the Caribbean nation amid a surge in gang violence that has plunged much of the capital and other regions into instability. Petro arrived in Port-au-Prince on July 18, accompanied by senior officials including Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez, marking a high-profile moment for deepening bilateral cooperation focused on bolstering Haiti’s fragile security infrastructure.

Approximately 90% of Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, remains under gang control, with violent criminal groups not only dominating the capital but increasingly expanding into the country’s central regions. Recent United Nations data reveals a devastating toll from the violence: at least 4,864 people were killed between October 2024 and June 2025, alongside widespread kidnappings, rapes, trafficking, and the forced displacement of around 1.3 million Haitians in recent years.

During his visit, Petro officially announced the opening of a Colombian embassy in Port-au-Prince, symbolizing a new phase in Colombia-Haiti relations and signaling long-term diplomatic and security collaboration. “The time has come to truly unite,” Petro stated at the embassy inauguration. He emphasized historical solidarity, tweeting remarks evoking shared legacies of liberation and freedom, underscoring the deep cultural ties between the two nations.

In closed-door meetings, Petro engaged with Haiti’s Prime Minister and members of the transitional presidential council, under mounting international pressure to hold general elections by February 2026. The Colombian government released a statement noting that discussions covered security cooperation, trade, education, agriculture, and efforts to combat drug trafficking, a major source of instability in both countries.

Petro’s administration has proposed training programs specifically aimed at enhancing the capabilities of Haitian law enforcement. Haitian representatives have already visited a Colombian state-owned arms manufacturing facility to explore defense strategies and technology that could be adapted for Haiti’s security forces. These efforts suggest a roadmap to build a more robust, better-equipped Haitian police force capable of challenging gang dominance.

The visit follows a notable clampdown by Haitian authorities, highlighted by the recent killing of four suspected drug traffickers and the seizure of over 2,300 pounds (1,000 kilograms) of cocaine off Haiti’s northern coast. Despite staffing and funding shortages, Haiti’s National Police are cooperating with Kenyan police as part of a United Nations-supported initiative to curb gang violence—a collaboration Colombia is now keen to strengthen through capacity-building and shared expertise.

Petro’s earlier visit in January 2025 had included a warm reception in Jacmel, where Haitian officials invested $3.8 million in infrastructure upgrades including airport runway expansion and restoring electricity, critical steps toward economic and social stability.

Experts note that the escalating gang violence in Haiti has profound real-life impacts. “The humanitarian and security crisis requires immediate, coordinated international responses,” said Dr. Marie-Claude Toussaint, a Caribbean security analyst. “Colombia’s support could be a decisive factor in strengthening local institutions and communities.”

Moving forward, the focus will be on translating diplomatic goodwill into tangible improvements in security and governance in Haiti. The transitional government faces the challenge of preparing for credible elections while stabilizing the nation. For Colombia, the visit cements its role as a key regional partner, extending diplomatic and operational support that addresses both countries’ intertwined struggles with violence and trafficking.

In summary, Colombian President Petro’s visit to Haiti underscores a critical moment of partnership amid a humanitarian crisis fueled by gang violence. Opening a Colombian embassy and proposing law enforcement training signal commitment beyond rhetoric, aiming to restore security and hope for millions affected. The next steps involve sustained bilateral cooperation, international support, and crucial reforms in Haiti’s security sector to enable a peaceful transition in the coming years.