Hispaniola is Haiti.
Wilson Isidor and the Vision of a Unified Haiti
ITIYAyiti’s position on national pride, the unity of the island, and cooperation between two sovereign peoples
Wilsonn Telimo Lwi
President of ITIYAyiti
KÒTAKÒT for an Autonomous Haiti
Public Statement
Following Haiti’s national soccer team’s 4–1 victory over the Dominican Republic, striker Wilson Isidor, who scored two goals, made a statement that generated widespread reactions: “Hispaniola is Haiti. Haiti is here.”
These words were spoken in the excitement of a sporting victory, before a crowd that included many Haitian supporters. They awakened a sense of pride among many Haitians, but they also raised concerns regarding Dominican sovereignty.
My position and that of ITIYAyiti must be stated clearly: we appreciate Wilson Isidor’s attachment to his Haitian roots, his courage, his performance, and his ability to bring joy to the Haitian people.
We can interpret his statement as a symbolic affirmation of Haiti’s presence, dignity, and visibility on the island. However, it must not be used to encourage annexation, invasion, violence, or the disappearance of the Dominican Republic.
Unifying Haiti, according to ITIYAyiti’s philosophy, means rebuilding Haiti, bringing Haitians together, and pursuing a future in which the two peoples who share the island can live KÒTAKÒT—side by side—in peace, equality, respect, and cooperation.
A Victory That Goes Beyond the Soccer Field
The 4–1 victory was a major sporting moment. Wilson Isidor scored twice and helped the Grenadiers dominate the match.
At a time when the Haitian people are confronting insecurity, weakened institutions, population displacement, and serious economic hardship, such a victory provides a breath of hope. It gives visibility to the Haitian flag, offers young people an example of discipline and achievement, and reminds the world that Haiti remains capable of producing talent and excellence.
We say to Wilson Isidor: congratulations on your performance, your commitment, and the pride you have shown in the country of your ancestors. Continue to carry Haiti’s colors with dignity. Continue to serve as a bridge between generations, between the diaspora and the homeland, and between sports and national consciousness.
However, responsible leadership must distinguish sporting emotion from a political program or territorial claim. Statements made by an athlete during an enthusiastic celebration do not automatically become the foreign policy of a state.
The Haitian Football Federation presented the celebration as an expression of Wilson Isidor’s attachment to his roots. According to published reports, the Embassy of Haiti in the Dominican Republic reaffirmed its respect for Dominican sovereignty. This distinction is important.
What Haiti and Hispaniola Mean
The island, commonly called Hispaniola, currently contains two sovereign states: the Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Each has its own Constitution, institutions, population, and internationally recognized borders. This is a legal and diplomatic reality that must not be concealed.
At the same time, the name Haiti carries a historical meaning that extends beyond today’s administrative boundaries. It comes from the island’s Indigenous heritage and preserves the memory of a natural and human space that existed before colonial divisions.
When some Haitians say that “the entire island is Haiti,” they may be speaking in a historical, cultural, or symbolic sense. A symbolic meaning, however, must not be presented as though it cancels another people’s sovereignty.
I therefore support an interpretation that builds bridges: Wilson Isidor’s statement can remind us that Haiti is present, Haiti is alive, and Haiti has the right to stand with dignity on the island. It must not be used to justify hatred against Dominicans or an imposed project to change existing borders.
What Is ITIYAyiti?
ITIYAyiti is a national centrist political party. It seeks to bring together people from different political tendencies and social backgrounds around the rule of law, justice, sovereignty, and the general interest.
In our philosophy, the name ITIYAyiti carries a particular image: Haiti appears to be upside down, and our responsibility is to help set the country upright again.
The formula established in Article 2 of our statutes is:
"Itiyayists United Everywhere to Unify Haiti.”
In Haitian Creole:
“Itiyayis Toupatou Ini pou Younifye Ayiti."
The word “toupatou,” meaning “everywhere,” emphasizes the presence of Haitians in every department, municipality, communal section, and throughout the diaspora.
The word “ini,” meaning “united,” calls for collective action.
The word “younifye,” meaning “to unify,” requires us to repair broken bonds and help the country recover a common direction.
Unifying Haiti does not mean forcing everyone to think the same way. It also does not mean allowing one group to absorb every other organization.
Unifying Haiti means creating a framework in which differences can continue to exist while the rule of law, justice, and national objectives serve as a common foundation.
The Meaning of “Unifying Haiti”
At the first level, unifying Haiti means bringing Haitians together.
The country is divided by social class, political affiliation, region, skin color, religion, language, place of residence, and economic interests. No national project can succeed unless these divisions are reduced.
At the second level, unifying Haiti means restoring the capacity of the state: security, justice, education, agriculture, public administration, credible elections, and essential services.
A country that cannot protect its citizens, control its territory, or remain accountable to its population is fragmented, even when its borders are clearly drawn on a map.
At the third level, the idea of a unified Haiti opens the door to a regional vision.
Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the same island, the same environment, substantial economic exchanges, migration flows, family connections, and several security challenges.
Pollution, epidemics, climate change, human trafficking, illegal trade, and natural disasters do not always stop at national borders. The two peoples therefore need strong mechanisms for cooperation.
It is in this sense that we can speak about unifying the island: not by imposing a single state, but by building a cooperative space in which two sovereign states commit themselves to protecting life, dignity, labor, the environment, and peace.
Any step extending beyond cooperation would have to rest on the free, democratic, and informed will of both peoples, in full respect for international law.
KÒTAKÒT as a Political Method
Article 6 of ITIYAyiti’s statutes identifies education, justice, agriculture, and KÒTAKÒT as essential instruments for rebuilding the country.
KÒTAKÒT means:
“Konbit pou Òganize Toupatou pou Ayiti Kanpe epi Òne Tèritwa.”
In English:
“Collective mobilization to organize everywhere so that Haiti can stand and honor its territory.”
This is not a call for war. It is a method of organization, cooperation, and accountability.
KÒTAKÒT also means standing side by side as equals. It calls for cooperation in which neither side absorbs the other and in which no one seeks to erase the identity of a neighboring people.
When applied to relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, this principle requires mutual respect, dialogue, historical truth, and mechanisms for resolving disputes without violence.
Six Principles for a Responsible Vision of the Island
1. Sovereignty
Recognize Haiti and the Dominican Republic legally as two sovereign states.
2. Peace
Reject invasion, annexation, threats, hatred, and violence between the two peoples.
3. Dignity
Combat discrimination, racism, arbitrary deportations, and mistreatment on both sides of the border.
4. Cooperation
Work together in the areas of trade, environmental protection, public health, migration, security, and disaster management.
5. Truth
Teach the island’s history from multiple perspectives, without propaganda and without erasing the suffering of either people.
6. Democratic Consent
Never impose a new political structure without the free and informed consent of both peoples.
ITIYAyiti’s Program and National Reconstruction
Article 3 of the statutes establishes ITIYAyiti’s national centrist identity.
Centrism does not mean an absence of convictions. It means seeking balance, rejecting political extremes, and placing practical solutions above ideological labels and conflicts.
Article 5 presents the vision of an autonomous Haiti. Such autonomy requires the country to possess the capacity to produce, educate, administer, protect, and negotiate without surrendering its dignity.
Article 8 encourages the unity of Haitians around shared moral values.
The KEPVET values—creativity, equity, patriotism, volunteerism, integrity, and transparency—provide a framework for moving from slogans to measurable results.
- Creativity: Develop solutions adapted to local realities instead of copying foreign models without careful consideration.
- Equity: Guarantee citizens fair access to opportunities, services, and representation.
- Patriotism: Serve one’s country without transforming love for Haiti into hatred of other peoples.
- Volunteerism: Place one’s time and abilities at the service of the community.
- Integrity: Do what we say and reject corruption and manipulation.
- Transparency: Publish objectives, resources, decisions, and results.
The statutes also address candidate selection, internal elections, alliances, government collaboration, and diaspora representation.
This demonstrates that unifying Haiti is not merely an emotional expression. It requires rules, organization, accountability, and participation from people living both inside and outside the country.
A Cooperation Agenda for the Entire Island
If we want to transform the message of unity into a serious public policy, we must propose actions capable of improving life on both sides of the border.
We therefore propose:
- creating a permanent council for civic dialogue that includes young people, women, workers, entrepreneurs, universities, and human rights organizations from both countries;
- developing bilingual and intercultural programs involving Haitian Creole, Spanish, history, and human rights;
- establishing transparent mechanisms governing employment, commerce, and migration to protect people against exploitation;
- launching joint projects involving watersheds, deforestation, agriculture, water, and disaster preparedness;
- adopting protocols to combat human trafficking, arms trafficking, and drug trafficking without criminalizing an entire nationality;
- using soccer, music, education, and youth exchanges as instruments of people-to-people diplomacy;
- establishing independent mechanisms to document discrimination, border violence, and human rights violations.
## What We Support in Wilson Isidor’s Statement
We support his pride.
We support his attachment to his roots.
We support the message he sends to young people in the diaspora: a person can live abroad, grow up within another system, and still carry Haiti in his or her heart.
We support the visibility he brings to a people who are too often presented only through reports of crisis and hardship.
We also support the idea that Haiti must not remain upside down. Haiti must rise again, organize itself, defend its citizens, and contribute to the island’s future as a capable and dignified partner.
However, we do not support an interpretation that would require the disappearance of the Dominican Republic or its placement under Haitian control. That is not necessary to fulfill ITIYAyiti’s vision.
The strength of our project lies in its capacity to unite without coercion, organize without destruction, and defend patriotism without producing chauvinism.
Message to Wilson Isidor
Wilson Isidor,
We congratulate you on your two goals and on the victory you helped bring to Haiti. We appreciate the love you have shown for your roots.
You have made many Haitians proud, both inside the country and throughout the diaspora.
Preserve that pride. Continue carrying the Haitian flag with respect. Use your influence to encourage young people to work, learn, organize, and believe in their abilities.
Your words have opened a discussion that extends far beyond soccer:
How can Haiti truly become Haiti again?
How can we recover our dignity without taking dignity away from others?
ITIYAyiti’s answer is to unify Haiti: bring the people together, rebuild national institutions, integrate the diaspora, encourage cooperation throughout the island, and help the country stand on its feet again.
Final Appeal to the Haitian People
We must not allow this discussion to become merely a confrontation over a single sentence. We must transform the energy of this victory into education, organization, civic participation, and productive work.
A country does not rise through emotion alone. It rises through institutions, discipline, production, justice, and citizens who accept responsibility.
I invite all Haitians, both inside the country and throughout the diaspora, to participate in a serious national discussion about unifying Haiti.
We must define what we want to rebuild at home, the relationship we want to establish with our neighbors, and the responsibilities each person is willing to assume.
Haiti does not need to become a threat to other peoples in order to become strong.
Haiti must become a state capable of protecting its children, respecting its neighbors, negotiating with dignity, and offering solutions.
That is what an autonomous Haiti means.
Itiyayists United Everywhere to Unify Haiti
KÒTAKÒT for an Autonomous Haiti
Note on Sources and Accuracy
The statement attributed to Wilson Isidor, Haiti’s 4–1 victory, his two goals, and the institutional reactions were reported by several media organizations after the match.
This article supports a patriotic and symbolic interpretation of the player’s statement. It does not attribute to him a detailed political program that he did not personally present.
Public References
- Le Tout au Pluriel, “Football : après le 4-1 d’Haïti, Wilson Isidor au cœur de la polémique en République dominicaine,” October 3, 2026.
- Diario Libre, “Haití se desmarca de Wilson Isidor: embajada afirma respeto a la soberanía dominicana,” October 3, 2026.
- HaïtiLibre, “L’île d’Hispaniola, c’est Haïti : la FHF veut clore la polémique,” October 4, 2026.
- El Día, “Wilson Isidor, el goleador de Haití desata polémica por sus declaraciones sobre RD,” October 2, 2026.
- ITIYAyiti’s statutes, particularly Articles 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 83–92, as well as the provisions concerning organization, elections, alliances, and diaspora representation.
Wilsonn Telimo Lwi
President of ITIYAyiti
KÒTAKÒT for an Autonomous Haiti
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