Colombia–Haiti relations

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Colombia–Haiti relations

Colombia and Haiti have had friendly bilateral ties since 1820, the year they established diplomatic relations. Haiti helped Simón Bolívar during Colombia’s fight for independence, supporting him with ships, weapons, supplies, and troops. Both countries are members of the Organization of American States, the Association of Caribbean States, CELAC, and the United Nations.

Over the years, Colombia and Haiti have cooperated in various fields. Before the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Colombia contributed police and other support to the UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). After the earthquake, Colombia provided substantial humanitarian aid, ships, experts, and reconstruction help.

In 2024, President Gustavo Petro planned to visit Haiti but could not because of security concerns. Colombia’s Consul General Vilma Velásquez met with ten Haitian entrepreneurs to explore trading opportunities. In 2025, Petro did travel to Haiti to reopen the Colombian Embassy there, and Velásquez was promoted to ambassador.

The two countries’ maritime border is defined by the Liévano-Brutus Treaty of 1978. It sets the boundary along a median line in the Caribbean Sea.

Defense and security cooperation has grown through the Colombia–Haiti Binational Ministers Council. Haitian Defense Minister Jean-Michel Moïse met Colombian officials in Bogotá and Riohacha to discuss defense cooperation and how Colombia can help reinforce Haiti’s Armed Forces. Colombia has invited Haiti to pursue arms purchases and training in Colombia, including training Haitian police and military personnel on Colombian soil. Colombia’s President Petro has invited other Latin American partners to join this cooperation.

In late 2024 and early 2025, high-level meetings led to a defense and security memorandum of understanding, establishing a formal partnership. Colombia will train about 1,000 Haitian recruits on Colombian soil: 500 with the Army, 250 with the Navy, and 250 with the Air Force. Police training in investigation, intelligence, and community policing will also take place. The program is estimated to cost around $2.5 million and is supported mainly by Colombia, with potential contributions from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the Dominican Republic. Haiti has also shown interest in purchasing weapons from the Colombian manufacturer INDUMIL.

Trade between the countries is significant. In 2022, Colombia exported about $52.5 million to Haiti, with sugar, baked goods, and palm oil as major products. Haiti’s exports to Colombia were much smaller, around $376,000, led by knitwear and essential oils. In 2024, Colombia’s Consul General noted Haitian interest in expanding trade with Colombia.

In short, Colombia and Haiti maintain cordial relations built on historical ties and ongoing cooperation in diplomacy, security, and trade, with growing collaboration in defense training and regional stability.