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Transcript/ScriptHAITI MIGRANTS COLOMBIA
HEADLINE: Before Latest Violence, Thousands of Haitians Had Already Fled for US
TEASER:
BYLINE: Austin Landis
PUBLISHED: 3/20/24, 8p
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Necocli, Colombia
VIDEOGRAPHER: Jorge Calle, Courtesy
VIDEO EDITOR:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA ORIGINAL, File video of Haiti
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:32
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVR
EDITOR NOTES: FOR PRODUCTION WEDNESDAY. Please send questions/edited script to austinclandis@gmail.com
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((INTRO:))
[[Thousands of Haitians had been fleeing their country’s economic and political instability even before the latest outbreak of violence. The first stop for many is South America, where some try to work before heading for the U.S. VOA's Austin Landis met with one man on the Columbia-Panama border preparing to cross the treacherous Darien Gap.]]
((NARRATOR))
Since Cleafton Arriste left Haiti six years ago, his dream destination has always been the United States.
((Cleafton Arriste, Haitian Migrant (MALE ENGLISH)))
“My body, I feel good in my body when I'm speaking English.”
((NARRATOR)) ((Mandatory CG: The King Music + YouTube bug))
He learned English from listening to American rap music.
And recorded a music video himself while living in Chile. ((end courtesy))
((NARRATOR))
Arriste left Haiti in 2017 because he wanted an opportunity to make music and work. And because gangs were already tightening control of the country.
((Cleafton Arriste, Haitian Migrant (MALE ENGLISH)))
“You must be scared about going outside, going to buy something. You don't want to leave [your home].”
((NARRATOR))
According to data from Panama's migration authority, Haitians are consistently among the top three nationalities that come to the Darien Gap on their way to the U.S. They often pass through this part of Colombia.
Like Arriste, many first tried to work in Chile or Brazil before moving on once again.
((NARRATOR))
And the new outbreak of violence in Haiti’s capital over the past month means more Haitian migrants could be on the way.
Gangs now control most of Port-au-Prince. They have left bodies in the streets and persuaded the country's prime minister to resign.
Infrastructure in Haiti has also taken a hit.
[[RADIO VERSION: Nora Love is a regional emergency director with the International Rescue Committee.]]
((Nora Love, International Rescue Committee (FEMALE ENGLISH))) ((Zoom))
“The airport is not working. The docks are not working. The roads are blocked. People are just kind of locked into their area of where they're living.”
((NARRATOR))
According to Panamanian officials, more than 46,000 Haitians crossed the border from Colombia in 2023, and about 5,000 have crossed already this year.
Arriste left Chile, saying it was hard to find work there. And he felt people in Chile discriminated against him because he is Black.
((Cleafton Arriste, Haitian Migrant))
“I got fear. I don't have confidence. Because they treat you like – no, they don't treat you well.”
((NARRATOR))
He worries about his mom in Haiti, but he doesn’t want to talk to her until he can offer help.
((Cleafton Arriste, Haitian Migrant))
“Not because I don't love her. It's because I don't want to keep talking, talking, talking with this person. I just want to make action. It would be great to help my family.”
((NARRATOR))
The latest figures from U.S. Customs and Border Protection show agents encountered more than 10,000 Haitians at the U.S.-Mexico border in January.
((Austin Landis, VOA News, Necocli, Colombia))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 20, 2024 20:44 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
