Huge Crowds Meet Hugo Chávez in Port-au-Prince
By: HaitiAnalysis
On March 12, Hugo Chávez, the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela visited Port-au-Prince. Huge crowds, in the tens of thousands , gathered in the streets of Haiti's capital to welcome Chavez. The pro-Lavalas crowds shouted in support of Chavez and at one point broke through a security detail to shake the president's hand. A loud chant called for Chavez to ask Preval for the return of exiled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. "Up with Chavez, Down with Bush," cried out many.
In a meeting with Haiti's President René Préval, Chávez promised to strenghten bilateral relations and aid to Haiti. Préval was voted into office on February 7, 2006 with sixty percent of the population turning out to vote. As part of Petrocaribe - a Venezuelan petroleum intiative for the caribbean basin - Haiti will save USD 150 million a year. Venezuela has also pledged USD 120 million for grants in construction and social programs, as well as a joint donation with Cuba of five electricty-generating plants. Just today Cuba and Venezuela announced a joint USD 1 billion program to aid Haiti.
Photos: Wadner Pierre
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