Haiti: Bernice Fidelia, Minister of Haitians Living Overseas resigns from cabinet

Bernice Fidelia

Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe’s office says that a cabinet member has resigned amid charges she’s American.

The departure of Bernice Fidelia (pictured), the outgoing Minister of Haitians Living Overseas, comes after lawmakers said she is an American citizen, a charge that hasn’t been confirmed. Sen. Joseph Joel John says he has the number of Fidelia’s U.S. passport and information about when she became an American.

Lamonthe’s office didn’t comment on Fidelia’s citizenship in a Tuesday statement about her resignation, and didn’t say why she’s leaving. Being a citizen of another country would preclude her from holding higher office in Haiti.

Fidelia lived in Florida before President Michel Martelly took office in 2011. Florida records show she served on the board of a foundation with Martelly.

She became minister in a January cabinet shuffle.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press