Establishment of diplomatic relations

Contact between Colombia and Haiti dates back to the time of our independence, given that Haiti was the second country of the American continent and the first of Latin America and the Caribbean, to declare its independence  (1 January 1804), a fact that inspired the other liberation movements in the region in the early 19th century. However, due to the need for urgent internal fiscal adjustments, Colombia closed its Embassy in Port- au-Prince in 2002 and, since then, diplomatic affairs between the two countries have been entrusted to the Embassy of Colombia in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. 

The Embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic is concurrent for Haiti.

Bilateral relations with Colombia

Colombia's desire to maintain a high level of binational relations has led to the formulation of significant cooperation commitments toward Haiti, which have increased further in recent years, in particular by virtue of the earthquake that destroyed the country in January 2010, and the efforts of the UN and the entire international community to mobilize resources, money and support personnel from all friendly nations to Haiti, not only for the reconstruction effort, but also to enable reinstatement of democracy in that Caribbean nation.

Prior to the earthquake that devastated Haiti in January 2010, Colombia participated in several projects and had police presence in the MINUSTAH (the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti). Since the 2010 earthquake, Colombia has sent significant amounts of humanitarian aid, ships, experts and infrastructure to Haiti, in order to help with the reconstruction efforts.

Other topics of binational interest

Haiti is and will continue to be a priority for the Government of President Santos, which was therefore pleased to note that the debate of 6 April 2011 promoted by Colombia during its Pro Tempore Presidency of the United Nations Security Council, ended with consensus on the Colombian initiative to call on all countries to decisively support Haiti, within a framework searching for the most effective way to support the Haitian authorities on short- and medium-term development strategies. This includes the proposal to transform the MINUSTAH (United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti), from a peacekeeping operation, into an authentic operation for the development of that country.

Agreements currently in force

• Lievano - Brutus Agreement on the Delimitation of Maritime Boundaries between the Republic of Colombia and the Republic of Haiti. (Port-au-Prince, 17 February 1978)

• Agreement on Cultural, Technical and Scientific Cooperation between the Republic of Colombia and the Republic of Haiti. (16 February 1979). Creation of a Joint Commission for Cooperation between Colombia and Haiti. (No meetings to date)