SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The United States issued a stern warning to Haiti's transitional council on Wednesday, cautioning against any attempts to alter the carved-out government structure amidst rising pressures to conduct elections for the first time in a decade. The council, currently an unelected body, is under scrutiny and faces criticism for its perceived inactivity.
In a statement released via X, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti declared that "any person who supports such a destabilizing initiative, which favors the gangs, would be acting against the interests of the United States, the region, and the Haitian people, and will take appropriate measures accordingly." The embassy underscored that such moves could hinder efforts aimed at establishing a "minimal level of security and stability" in Haiti, where gang violence is increasingly rampant and the poverty situation is worsening.
The warning followed reports of discord among certain council members regarding their relationship with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, though specific details were not immediately clear. The council convened privately earlier that day, and a spokesperson from the prime minister's office refrained from commenting on the escalating situation.
The transitional council was established in April 2024 to restore order following years of chaos that commenced after the assassination of Haiti's last elected president, Jovenel Moïse, in July 2021. It was created with assistance from Caribbean leaders after gangs overtook Haiti's major international airport and orchestrated unprecedented attacks on critical state infrastructure, which ultimately led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
As of now, the council is tasked with selecting Haiti's prime minister in an effort to bring stability to the country. Fils-Aimé, a businessman and former head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was designated as the third prime minister by the council in November 2025 after the dismissal of the previous leader, Garry Conille.
The council is expected to dissolve by February 7, 2026, but uncertainty surrounds whether this will take place. Critics allege that some members are aiming to extend their stay in power, potentially exacerbating unrest and provoking violent protests.
The February 7 deadline was agreed upon in early 2024 under the premise that Haiti would conduct general elections to appoint a new president. However, persistent gang violence has stalled the election process, which is now tentatively scheduled for August, with a runoff expected in December.
A recent United Nations report underscored the divisions among national stakeholders regarding the transitional governance structure intended to guide the country through elections. On the same day, the U.N. Security Council convened to deliberate on Haiti's increasingly precarious situation. Carlos Ruiz-Massieu, the U.N. Secretary-General’s special representative in Haiti, emphasized that the time for political maneuvering had ended, urging a move towards genuine governance.
Panamanian Ambassador Eloy Alfaro de Alba conveyed in the meeting that Haiti is at a "critical juncture," as the deadline for the transitional council’s mandate looms. Meanwhile, several members of the U.N. Security Council reaffirmed that prompt movement towards a democratic transition is essential, with gangs continuing to expand their territorial grasp.
Reports indicate that gangs maintain control over roughly 90% of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital, along with significant portions of the central region. From January to November last year, over 8,100 killings were documented across Haiti, with authorities acknowledging that these numbers might be underestimated due to limited access to gang-dominated areas.
The Haitian National Police, struggling to manage the gang violence, is backed by a U.N.-endorsed mission led by Kenyan police, which is currently understaffed and underfunded. This mission is in the process of transitioning into a "gang suppression force" that would obtain the authority to book suspected gang members.
Additionally, the Haitian government has been collaborating with a private military contractor to execute drone strikes against suspected gang members, although these operations have also resulted in civilian casualties. Reports indicate that these actions resulted in over 970 fatalities between March and December last year, including 39 civilians, 16 of whom were children, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
