Hugo Chavez arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Monday, March 12 to inaugurate a humanitarian fund for Haiti. The $20 million fund will help Haiti with a variety of social projects including healthcare, education, electricity generation, food production and drinking water. Haiti is already a member of Petrocaribe, a program initiated by Venezuela offering preferential financing terms for oil from Venezuela's state run oil company.

As Chavez traveled from the airport to his meeting with President Preval, he was cheered by thousands of Haitians. In typical Chavez fashion, he rode with his door open and his hand raised in the air. Signs displayed by supporters along the way included "Viva Chavez, Aba Bush." President Chavez is viewed by many Haitians as a man with a solid commitment to the poor.

Chavez heralds Haiti for providing a haven for Simon Bolivar and helping him re-group for the fight against Spanish colonial domination in Latin America.

--Shirley Pate, March 13, 2007