Haiti is part of Latin America but Haitians are not Latino. Let me explain why. Latin America as a term used to group countries in Central & South America, and the Caribbean originated in France (Amérique latine) in consideration of French- and Portuguese-speaking territories.

That area was referred to as Hispanic America but that is was only inclusive of Spanish-speaking regions. There was Ibero-America (referring to the Iberian Peninsula in Europe, which includes Portugal & Spain) which included Spanish or Portuguese speaking countries/territories.

Latin America was inclusive of all countries in that region because weather Spanish, Portuguese, or French.. all of the predominant spoken languages had a linguistic affinity with the Romance/Romanic (as in Romans, not love lol) languages that started from the Latin Language.

So Latin, as in Latin America, defines the countries common connection to Latin Europe and their speaking languages that are all derived from the common latin used in the roman empire.
Now, on to Latino...

"Latino' on the other hand is a term in the United States borrowed from the Spanish language. Most people outside of the US do not use the term Latino. Not even in Latin America lol.

The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (they define race/ethnic categories used by the Census bureau) defines Latinos as those who "trace their origin/descent to Mexico, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central, and South America and other Spanish cultures". *SPANISH*

So for example, whites and blacks from the British, French, or Dutch West Indies (Caribbean) (think Sint Maarten, Virgin Islands, or Guadeloupe) who have no ties to Spanish Europe, by the definition in the United States where the term is used, are not Latino.

Many words/terms have common roots but are still differently defined. They all point back to Latin Europe. But one is used globally with reference to Latin Europe as a whole (Latin American), the other is used mainly in the US referring to Spanish-speaking Latin Europe (Latino).

So if it's said that by virtue of me being of Haitian descent I'm in effect Latin American, fine. But that doesn't make me Latino. And remember, racial/ethnic categories as we know them are defined by the government, they're not universal truths. aka It's not a real thing lol.

Think about this: In Spanish, as used in Spain, the term 'Latino' doesn't correlate to its primary usage in the U.S. because the primary use of Latino in Spanish (in Spain) is to refer to the people of the Lazio (Latium) region of Italy.

In that sense Latinos from Europe and from America couldn't even communicate with each other because they don't speak the same language. One speaks Italian and the other, Spanish. Close but no cigar. Though we use them interchangeably, Latino here (the U.S.) refers to Hispanics.

Last point, and I'll be done. Many people considered to be Latino in America contest that label, claiming that it's misleading. The feeling is that politicians, the media, and marketers find it convenient to deal with the different U.S. Spanish-speaking people under one umbrella.

But the reality is that no Latino or Hispanic nationality exists since no Latino state exists, so generalizing the term Latino slights the various national identities included under the umbrella, lumping together a diverse group of people who aren't always connected.

But that's a whole 'nother issue for another day. Point is Latin American =/= Latino =/= Hispanic (though the US would have you believe otherwise), and lastly... I'm not Latino lol. But I love y'all and will identify you by your family's country of origin if you'd prefer.

“Whereas I move through the world with the age old Haitian saying in the back of my mind:

renmen moun ki renmen w.

Love those who love you.

And history has shown me time and time again, that Haiti stands alone.” http://woymagazine.com/2018/06/19/not-afro-latino-haitian/