The United States has signalled strong support for Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimè as the mandate of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) nears its end on Saturday.
In a statement posted on the US Embassy website in Haiti, Washington said it supports the 55-year-old prime minister’s leadership “in building a strong, prosperous, and free Haiti” as the country prepares for the next phase of its political transition.
“As the Transitional Presidential Council’s mandate ends on February 7th, we support Prime Minister Fils-Aimè’s leadership in building a strong, prosperous, and free Haiti,” the statement said.
Fils-Aimè has been serving as prime minister since 2024. The CPT was established in April that year to restore political stability, address the worsening security crisis driven by powerful armed gangs and facilitate a transition of power following the resignation of then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
The nine-member council was tasked with selecting a new prime minister and cabinet and preparing for national elections planned for early 2026. Haiti has not held national elections since April 2024.
With the CPT’s mandate set to expire within days, pressure is mounting from political parties, civil society groups and citizens calling for its departure. Critics have described the council as costly, corrupt and ineffective in addressing the country’s deepening crisis.
The Forum of Civil Society Groups, which says it represents more than 13,000 grassroots organisations, has named educator Dr Charles Tardieu as its presidential candidate.
The United States also confirmed that, at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the USS Stockdale, USCGC Stone and USCGC Diligence have arrived in the Bay of Port-au-Prince.
“Their presence reflects the United States’ unwavering commitment to Haiti’s security, stability, and brighter future. The US Navy and US Coast Guard stand as symbols of partnership and support, working to ensure a safer and more prosperous Haiti,” the embassy said.
Meanwhile, the Organization of American States (OAS) said a meeting was held in Washington this week involving the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, Canada and the United States to discuss the situation.
Following what it described as extensive dialogue, participants reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Haiti “at a moment of profound uncertainty, but also of opportunity for a better future.”
The OAS also welcomed implementation of a UN Security Council resolution and the planned deployment of a Gang Suppression Force (GSF), which it said is critical to addressing gang-related insecurity.
The first contingents of the GSF — set to replace the struggling Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission — are expected to arrive in April. The force is tasked with restoring state authority and public order, reducing gang control of territory, securing critical infrastructure and supporting Haiti’s return to elected governance.
“We recognise that a Haitian-led and owned solution is crucial. The signatories call on all stakeholders to act in the interest of peace and stability and for the well-being of the Haitian people,” the OAS said.
Caricom said its Eminent Persons Group, comprising former prime ministers of St Lucia, The Bahamas and Jamaica, also held several engagements on the sidelines of the consultations regarding the Gang Suppression Force.
