Political analyst Peter Wickham has joined calls for urgent action to resolve Haiti’s deepening crisis, warning that the instability could have serious consequences for the wider Caribbean.
Speaking on state media just days after World Democracy Day on 15 September, Wickham said the region must adopt a comprehensive and united approach to Haiti’s plight, echoing concerns recently raised by Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
“The Prime Minister is right,” Wickham said. “What’s happening in Haiti can spread, and I think that the lawlessness, the belief that this is an alternative way and that this is a way to get things done, is something that can spread.”
He noted Haiti’s historic role as the first successful Caribbean revolution against slavery, arguing that its current turmoil could once again serve as an inspiration—this time for lawlessness rather than liberation.
Wickham also warned that a refugee crisis could become a pressing issue for neighbouring states.“A number of Haitians will be washing up on their shores,” he said, citing Antigua and Barbuda’s proximity. “The capacity to support the thousands of people that could potentially turn up around the region from Haiti is problematic.”
The comments follow another surge of violence in Haiti, where more than 40 people were killed last weekend in Labodrie, a small village between Arcahaie and Cabaret.
Local officials said armed groups linked to the “Viv Ansanm” coalition opened fire indiscriminately, accusing residents of being police informants. At least 42 bodies, including children, were recovered, according to a provisional report. Witnesses said homes were set ablaze in retaliation for the death of gang leader Vladimyr Pierre, known as “Vlad,” who was killed in clashes with police earlier this month.
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres condemned the killings, offering condolences to the victims’ families and urging Haitian authorities to pursue justice.
He appealed to member states to accelerate support for the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), stressing the need for resources, personnel, and funding to bolster Haiti’s National Police in tackling gang violence in line with international human rights law.
