To Fix Haiti, Look to Colombia

Article excerpt

Haiti's spiraling gang violence and state collapse have left the nation searching for a path forward. Foreign Policy examines Colombia's decades-long struggle against drug trafficking and armed groups, arguing that Bogotá's experience offers lessons, if imperfect ones, for Port-au-Prince. Colombia's approach combined military pressure, institutional reform, and international support, gradually weakening criminal organizations while rebuilding state capacity. The comparison assumes Haiti's government can consolidate power and maintain focus on long-term institution-building rather than quick fixes. Yet the article acknowledges significant differences: Colombia had stronger state foundations and resources that Haiti largely lacks, making direct replication unlikely.