French President
Emmanuel Macron's recent characterization of
Haiti's transitional presidential council (TPC) as "total morons" has ignited significant
diplomatic tensions between his country and its former
colony.
Former council president
Edgard Leblanc Fils said the words insulted an entire nation "living through dark times."
Macron was captured on video during the
G20 summit in
Brazil earlier this month criticizing the council's decision to dismiss
Prime Minister Garry Conille after just six months in office
"They're total morons," Macron said. "They never should have dismissed him."
Conille, a former
United Nations official, was appointed Haiti's Prime Minister in June 2024 by the TPC, a body established to guide the nation through its political instability.
In the video, Macron went on to say that their decision-making at a time of significant organized crime was "completely dumb."
Conille was replaced by businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé on November 11.
Macron's Comment Draws Ambassadorial Criticism
Macron did not hold back when it came to placing the blame in
Haiti's unrest.
"Honestly, it is Haitians who killed Haiti by letting in drug trafficking," he said.
Former
Senate Leader Leblanc said "[Macron] did not hesitate to interfere in a matter that essentially concerns the Haitian authorities," Leblanc said in a statement, referring to Macron's praise of Conille as "formidable."
The Haitian Foreign Ministry also summoned France's
ambassador to Haiti, labeling Macron's remarks as "unfriendly and inappropriate."
"This is complete rubbish," truck driver Nicolas Jean Bernett told
Africanews.
"The French still think of us as animals like in the past times of slavery," he said.