By Sarah Morland (Reuters) -Colombian President Gustavo Petro arrived in Haiti's southeastern city of Jacmel on Wednesday afternoon in a rare visit by a foreign head of state to the Caribbean nation,

Petro is one of only a handful of heads of state that have visited Haiti recently given a surge in gang violence that has prompted a growing number of leaders in the international community to call for a U.N.-peacekeeping mission in the Caribbean country, noting that the current Kenyan-led mission lacks funds and personnel.

I want to thank you for helping my America, my Colombia, achieve freedom,” he said. “You even gave us our flag.”

Colombian President Gustavo Petro visited Haiti on Wednesday to strengthen ties and discuss potential joint projects in sectors like agriculture, technology, and the economy, AP reports.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro visits Haiti to strengthen ties and discuss joint projects amid ongoing gang violence and instability.

His foreign minister just abruptly resigned. A deadly wave of violence between fighting guerrilla groups is endangering his nation’s hard-won peace accord, and 17 of his countrymen, former soldiers accused in the July 2021 assassination of Haiti President Jovenel Moïse,