Em diáspora: o assassinato do presidente Jovenel Moïses e a influência sobre os haitianos em Chapecó

Abstract

This research analyzes the experiences of the Haitian diaspora in Chapecó, a region in western Santa Catarina, Brazil, with an emphasis on the social, emotional, and symbolic impacts resulting from the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. It seeks to understand how this event resonated among Haitian migrants residing in Brazil, influencing perceptions of belonging, identity, and future plans. The approach is qualitative and based on interviews conducted with three participants: Nadia, Samantha, and Roberto, whose migratory trajectories reveal distinct paths: while two interviewees chose to leave Brazil for the United States and Canada, Roberto decided to remain in the country. The results show that factors such as racism, precarious employment, and transnational pressures related to remittances act as central motivators for emigration. The analysis, grounded in Max Weber's typology of social actions, allows for the interpretation of differentiated responses to the Haitian political crisis, ranging from rational actions guided by values, purposes, and affections. It was observed that Moïse's murder intensified feelings of insecurity, longing, and family responsibility, impacting the reconstruction of expectations and the repositioning of migratory projects. It is noteworthy that the notion of diaspora emerges as a contested identity category, experienced heterogeneously by the participants, highlighting the complexity of the migratory experiences of the Haitian diaspora.