"The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere."

Back in 2004, my unit was deployed to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  I was an 18 year old Marine: dumb and scared.  We were told we would stay there for only a couple weeks--we ended up leaving 4 months later.  I knew nothing of the place.  I could not point it out on a map or even name a Haitian.  The focus at the time was Iraq.  Yet, there was trouble in this country, and within 6 hours we were ready to go (we did not leave until 3 days later).  What I did know about the country, was what my platoon sergeant told me: "This is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere."

We landed on a midnight.  The air was humid and sky pitch black.  It was hot.  And the capital was in turmoil.  President Aristide had been exiled hours before by elite Marines, and the grunts were put in to bring back stability.  My first time out in the city really opened my eyes.  I had never seen anything so poor and disastrous.  I could not believe that people lived in that state.  Yet, the countryside was beautiful.  The Caribbean was always in sight.  The mountains lush and the vegetation green.

According to the CIA Factbook, Haiti's state at the time was nothing new to it and its people.  One of the possible points where Columbus landed, Haiti has a rich history of colonization and struggle.  France and Spain shared the island for trade.  Haiti established its independence in the early 1800s (CIA Factbook).  Haiti also ranks among the top 10 weakest states in the world, according to the recent Failed States Index.  Combine this with constant political issues, natural disasters, poverty, and disease; and the country does not get any better.

Haiti's wonderful location adds nothing to its woes.  It serves as a mid-point for drug trade and the violence that comes with it.  The economy is too weak to face the brutal earthquakes that have rocked it, destroying many of the weak infrastructure without solutions to rebuild.  I was saddened when the presidential palace was demolished by the 2010 earthquake.  My company had taken control of it and ran operations from it.

The UN continues to have its presence in the country, as well.  Political collapse is likely expected due to its history, and the UN provides stability on this issue.  My unit provided the initial effort in early 2004, followed by other international efforts after us.

From the outside, the country deserves all of its labeling.  Walking the streets during times of violence reinforces this.  Yet, from my experiences, the people are hopeful and living their lives day-to-day.  Haiti is a direct consequence of colonization followed by people trying to keep a machine they knew little about.