Colombia's Petro visits southern Haiti as violence spikes in both countries

23/1/2025 8:15

Colombian President Gustavo Petro arrived in Haiti's southeastern city of Jacmel on Wednesday afternoon in a rare visit by a foreign head of state to the

Caribbean nation, as Haiti endures an extended conflict with armed gangs.



Colombia has also faced a surge in violence from rebel factions that have brought peace talks to a halt.



Petro arrived in the small coastal city some 90 km (55 miles) from the capital Port-au-Prince on a Colombian military plane several hours after the visit was expected to start, where hundreds of residents turned out to see his arrival.



Petro had a layover in the Dominican Republic, skirting Haiti's embattled capital where several shootings against diplomatic vehicles were reported just this week.