A diplomatic row has erupted between the Haitian government and the United Nations over comments made by a senior UN official cheering an investigation into the alleged misuse of Venezuela-sponsored Petrocaribe funds by previous administrations. Haiti recalled its ambassador to the UN on Tuesday, and summoned Susan D Page, the special representative and head of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), to explain comments she reportedly made applauding a criminal probe into the alleged siphoning of Petrocaribe money. Haiti has a long tradition of corruption, and international partners and anti-graft watchdogs have often blamed Haitian politicians for failing to crack down on the scourge. Page was quoted as saying she saluted “the initiative and active role of Haitian citizens and civil society engaged in the fight against corruption and impunity. A collapse in oil prices, however, has caused a recession in Venezuela, and stalled many of the Petrocaribe shipments.

Source: Dhaka Tribune March 01, 2018 15:56 UTC