One rarely sees Judge Alténor Barthélemy smile. His expression remains stern, his rigid posture reflecting his reserved nature and deep focus, even when presiding over cases. A native of Mirebalais, he has never been one to be intimidated. Not even the targeted armed attack in 2017, in which his driver was seriously wounded, could shake him. On the contrary, Barthélemy has carved out an exemplary path in the Haitian judiciary, steadily rising through the ranks to reach its highest peak: the Court of Cassation of the Republic.

"A magistrate’s first quality must be courage," he says, curtly. "If I have a case to handle, I take responsibility. I don’t seek out cases to put myself in the spotlight," adds the judge, who refused to become an investigating magistrate to ensure he could deliver rulings within the legal deadlines.