The Haitian government expressed strong disapproval of recent comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron, who referred to members of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council as “idiots” for dismissing former Prime Minister Garry Conille, whom Macron described as “excellent.” In response, Haiti’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, swiftly summoned the French Ambassador to Haiti, Antoine Michon.

“The remarks made by the French President were unacceptable,” stated the Haitian Foreign Minister. “I immediately summoned the French ambassador. We met this afternoon (Thursday, November 21). He acknowledged that the President’s comments were regrettable and explained the context in which they were made.”