The city of Jacmel is preparing to welcome Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who is scheduled to make an official visit to Haiti on January 22. If all goes as planned, the former FARC guerrilla fighter will arrive this Wednesday. In preparation, the city of Alcibiade Pommayrac is undergoing significant beautification efforts. Roads are being renovated, electricity has been restored, and the city’s airport now boasts a 1,000-meter runway, capable of accommodating larger aircraft than before. Hotels and restaurants are seeing increased activity.

However, according to testimonies gathered by Le Nouvelliste, this temporary improvement contrasts sharply with the economic hardships caused by deteriorating security conditions along National Highway 2 and the government’s neglect of Jacmel. Wilner Content, a former deputy for Jacmel, criticized the situation, stating that the Southeast department has suffered from both insecurity and state disregard. “In over 20 years, no new roads have been built in this department. The residents of Côtes-de-Fer don’t have a road to reach Jacmel. It’s the same for the people of Cayes-Jacmel, Belle-Anse, and the Bainet district,” the former deputy said.