Venezuela stands in solidarity with Haiti and mourns the tragedy at Ciudadela Laferrière

Published at: 12/04/2026 03:35 PM

The president in charge of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez Gómez, on behalf of the Venezuelan government and people, expressed her deepest regret for the tragic loss of human life that occurred in the Republic of Haiti, as a result of the stampede recorded in the historic Laferrière Citadel, which has left dozens of fatalities and numerous injuries.

So far, the island's authorities have detailed that at least 30 people died this Saturday in a stampede in rural northern Haiti. Jean Henri Petit, head of Civil Protection in the department of Northern Haiti, said that the stampede occurred at the Laferriere Citadel, an early 19th century fortress built shortly after Haiti's independence from France that was packed on Saturday with students and visitors who had come to participate in the annual celebration of the site declared World Heritage by UNESCO.

The following is the full statement issued by the Ministry of People's Power for Foreign Affairs:

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Communiqué

The President (E) of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez Gómez, on behalf of the Venezuelan government and people, expresses her deepest regret for the tragic loss of human life that occurred in the Republic of Haiti, as a result of the stampede recorded in the historic Laferrière Citadel, which has left dozens of fatalities and numerous injuries.

Venezuela extends its sincerest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as its solidarity with the brotherly Haitian people at this painful time. We join the grief that grieves all of Haiti in the face of this regrettable tragedy, which especially mourns the youth present in the area.

We raise our prayers for the victims and wish the injured a speedy recovery, while trusting that the Haitian people will be able to overcome this painful circumstance with dignity and strength. The Haitian people can count on the unconditional support of the Bolivarian Government, always inspired by the brotherhood of our heroes Alexander Petion and Simon Bolivar.

Mazo News Team