On this first of January 2026, while awaiting the official ceremonies and the traditional speeches for the celebration of the 222nd anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Haiti, we share with you the first messages received.

Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State :

"On behalf of the United States of America, we stand with the people of Haiti on your Independence Day and remain committed to working with you to strengthen security, restore stability, and build the foundations for a more prosperous future.

We continue to support the establishment of a Gang Suppression Force that can work with Haitian security forces to end the reign of terror by gangs and U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

We also recognize the progress Haiti’s transitional government and provisional electoral council are making to prepare for the country’s first national elections in a decade in 2026. The United States will continue to encourage and assist efforts that pave the way for a secure process that allows Haitians to elect their leaders.

Today, we celebrate Haiti’s resilience and reaffirm our enduring commitment to the Haitian people."

Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago :

"Dear compatriots, dear fellow citizens, dear friends of Haiti,

On this first day of January 2026, it is with profound emotion and a keen sense of history that I address you.

Today, we not only celebrate the dawn of a new year, but we also solemnly mark the 222nd anniversary of our national independence. On January 1, 1804, in Gonaïves, our ancestors broke the chains of slavery to offer the world the first independent Black Republic. This legacy of bravery, championed by Jean-Jacques Dessalines and the heroes of the Indigenous Army, remains our guiding principle.

In this year 2026, as we cross this new historical threshold, our beautiful nation finds itself at a turning point in its destiny. The theme of "unity" more than ever, must be the foundation of our nation. As our leaders remind us, building a stable and prosperous Haiti is a daily endeavor that demands the patriotism and commitment of each and every one of us.

To you, members of the Haitian community living here within the consular district, I wish to commend your resilience and your unwavering attachment to your homeland. You are the ambassadors of our culture and the pillars of solidarity with your brothers and sisters who remained in Haiti.

Happy Independence Day to all! Happy and prosperous 2026! Long live Haiti !"

Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago

Consulate General of Haiti in Montreal :

"On the occasion of the New Year, the Consulate General of Haiti in Montreal extends its wishes for peace, courage, and solidarity to the Haitian people, both at home and in the diaspora.

In a context marked by numerous trials, we reiterate that peace remains the essential condition for building a prosperous and sustainable future. It is the foundation upon which a community of shared destiny can be built, united by the ideals of justice, dignity, and freedom.

January 1st is also our national independence day. May this historic date rekindle in us the memory of the heroic struggles, the hopes awakened at Bois Caïman, the courage of Vertières, and the oath of liberty sworn at the dawn of 1804.

Together, let us honor this legacy by pursuing the dream of a free, strong, and reconciled Haiti.

Happy New Year 2026 !"

Consulate General of Haiti in Santiago, Dominican Republic :

"On this January 1st, the founding date of our Nation, the Consulate General of the Republic of Haiti in Santiago bows respectfully before the memory of our heroes of Independence and pays tribute to the courage of a people who, in 1804, chose liberty, dignity, and sovereignty.

This day marks not only the beginning of a new year; It reminds every Haitian, wherever they may be, that our national identity was built on the rejection of injustice, the rejection of arbitrary rule, and the demand for a state that serves the common good.

At the dawn of this new year, the Consulate extends its sincerest wishes for health, peace, and hope to the Haitian community living in the Dominican Republic, as well as to all our compatriots living abroad. May 2026 be a year of strengthened solidarity, shared responsibility, and renewed commitment to progress, good governance, and collective well-being.

Faithful to the spirit of January 1st, 1804, we remain convinced that Haiti's progress depends on integrity, a sense of duty, and the primacy of the common good above all other particular considerations.

Long live the Independence of Haiti. Long live the Republic."

Stephen Junior Cherenfant, Consul, Outgoing Head of Mission https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46536-haiti-flash-haitian-consul-in-santiago-dismissed-victim-of-political-reprisals.html

SL/ HaitiLibre