On Monday, July 28, the Presidential Transitional Council (PTC) received Philippe Coles and Edouard Baussan, two representatives of Caribbean Port Services (CPS). This meeting, held at the Villa d’Accueil, followed a letter from Fritz Alphonse Jean, President pro tempore of the Transitional Council, addressed to Prime Minister Fils-Aimé on July 9, 2025, requesting a report on Caribbean Port Services (CPS), relating to the contract between the latter and the Haitian State, via the National Port Authority (APN) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45305-haiti-politic-cpt-president-asks-pm-for-explanations.html

"[...] All necessary clarifications have been provided on the matter, particularly regarding the clauses concerning the privileges on the right to lease land in the private domain of the State for a period of three times nine years, which CPS benefited from at the last renewal of its contract.

From these fruitful discussions, conducted in complete transparency, it emerged that the said contract was concluded under legal and regular conditions, in accordance with the Decrees of April 7, 1978 creating the National Port Authority (APN), of March 15, 1985 establishing its institutional framework and that of September 22, 1964 relating to the fixing of rents and leases of property in the private domain of the State. The privileges stated above are explained by the priority enjoyed by the CPS as a tenant of state land and the weight of investments in port management and operations, which require time for their amortization," states the Presidential Communications Office.

This note provoked a strong reaction from Fritz Alphonse Jean, who protested against the publication of this note, stating that he did not agree with the content of this note, which gives carte blanche to a file that should instead be analyzed by the highest administrative authorities in the country with the aim of producing opinions clearly recorded in a legal opinion duly endorsed by the Superior Court of Auditors and Administrative Disputes (CSC/CA).

The President of the CPT informs the public that this note was published not only without his approval but, more importantly, despite his objections. Its publication was only possible thanks to threats of dismissal made against the staff of the CPT's Communications Office.

The President of the CPT wishes, in complete transparency, that the CPS case be the subject of a legal opinion that will justify, or not, the granting of a 27-year lease to CPS instead of the planned nine years. Without this opinion, suspicions of corruption could further tarnish the CPT's credibility. Jean does not recognize the CPT's authority to produce such an opinion, despite the mention of some legal provisions in the memo drafted by some of its members and published, under threat, by the President's communications office. Fritz Alphonse Jean strongly denounces this type of behavior and vigorously protests the fact that anyone is trying to associate him with such maneuvers. He takes this opportunity to remind the Prime Minister that the publication of this memo does not absolve him of his obligation to provide the CPT with the explanations requested on this matter in the letter of July 9, 2025, referenced in the memo.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45305-haiti-politic-cpt-president-asks-pm-for-explanations.html

HL/ SL/ HaitiLibre