BOGOTA.- As part of the official visit of the Colombian Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyvato Haiti to restore diplomatic headquarters and strengthen bilateral relations, a delegation from the Government of Colombia The focus was on supporting the 17 former Colombian soldiers imprisoned in Port-au-Prince prison for their suspected involvement in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.
The Colombian Foreign Ministry noted in an official statement the recent opening of a consulate in Port-au-Prince as part of efforts to provide assistance to Colombians living in Haiti, particularly those detained in what it described as precarious conditions.
The visit to the prison, led by Deputy Ombudsman Luis Andrés Fajardo and an official from the Foreign Ministry's Directorate of Immigration, Consular Affairs and Citizen Services, aimed to assess the conditions of the detainees and coordinate humanitarian efforts.
Relatives of the detainees are asking for support
Relatives of the former soldiers expressed concern about the lack of a formal trial and the difficult conditions in which the detainees are being held in Port-au-Prince prison.
“They all had cholera, have gastrointestinal problems and suffer from foot pain and fungus because the place is very dirty. While they are sleeping, the rats pass over them,” said Milena Carmona, the inmate’s wife.
The Colombian Foreign Ministry committed to intensifying efforts to improve the situation and to coordinate humanitarian actions with the Haitian government, including the possible organization of a humanitarian flight to allow relatives to directly check detention conditions.
“We want to ensure that imprisoned former military personnel receive the support they need and that their human rights are respected. The opening of the consulate in Port-au-Prince is a significant step in this direction,” said Foreign Minister Leyva during the visit.
The Colombian Foreign Ministry also stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations with Haiti and jointly addressing issues of cooperation in areas such as education and combating drug trafficking. As contacts between the two countries intensify, it is hoped that diplomatic engagement will translate into tangible improvements for Colombians imprisoned in Haiti and their families.
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SPRING: With information from AP