U.S. Congress declines renewal of HOPE/HELP Act for Haiti

Haiti.- The U.S. Congress approved a budget bill on Friday, averting a government shutdown but excluding the extension of Haiti’s HOPE/HELP trade programs. These programs, vital for Haiti’s struggling economy, were removed during Republican-led negotiations to focus on domestic priorities.

Despite intense diplomatic efforts by Haiti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, including meetings with U.S. lawmakers like Representative Adriano Espaillat, the trade benefits were omitted from the final text. This decision marks a setback for Haiti, which has relied on these programs for years to support its economic stability.

The approved bill allocates federal funds for domestic projects, including rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge, extending agricultural laws, and providing $100,000 million for FEMA and disaster relief. The exclusion of the HOPE/HELP programs underscores a shift in U.S. legislative priorities, leaving Haiti to face new economic challenges.