International

Haiti’s new Prime Minister, Garry Conille, promises to face the serious crisis

The new Prime Minister of Haiti, Garry Conille, pledged to work with the Presidential Transitional Council to solve the problems facing the country, plunged into an unprecedented socio-political crisis, as he said in a 9-minute message posted on his YouTube account.

“I am now committed to working closely with all the counselors to solve the urgent problems facing the country,” he said.

Conille assured that he is also committed to working for the success of the transition, before stressing that he has “accepted the position with great humility,” thanking the counselors and organizations that placed their trust in him.

He called his appointment a “great step forward” for Haiti, despite the crisis it is currently going through. Conille stated that, since his election by the Council, he has dialogued with the actors of the national and international community.

“The Presidential Council is already actively working to identify the profiles that will form the Government. We are going to work so that the Transitional Government reflects the courage, generosity, resilience and diversity of the Haitian people,” he said.

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“The average age of the Haitian population is 23 years old. So young people must be well represented. Half of the population are women. Women must find their place in the Government,” he said.

He promised that, together with the Presidential Transitional Council, he will do everything possible to find competent people with honest practices, who love his country and are willing to sacrifice themselves to fight for it.

Conille drew a critical picture of the situation in Haiti, which is going through a difficult period. “And despite the many sacrifices of the police, armed groups occupy a large part of the metropolitan region. They kill and rape without punishment,” he lamented.

“Several hundred thousand compatriots have been forced to leave their homes, almost half of the population does not have enough food to eat every day, and it is in difficult conditions that four million students go to school,” he recalled.

“Medicines, dispensaries and hospitals are becoming luxuries. Small merchants close their doors and the cost of living increases,” he said.

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“If we join, I can guarantee that we will get out of the situation we are in. I have always believed that there is no Haitian fatality,” Conille said, stating that he is sure that the country will get the final victory.

In his message he also said: “We will do everything possible to make this transition a success. And to make sure that our institutions are in place on time,” remembering that Haiti cannot lose and that the country will not lose.

The Presidential Transitional Council of Haiti, composed of seven members with voice and vote and two others with voice only, published on Thursday the decree appointing Garry Conille as prime minister in the official newspaper Le Moniteur, two days after electing him at the National Palace.

International

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.