The United States issued a warning late Wednesday to Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, cautioning the unelected body against making changes to the country’s government as pressure grows to move Haiti toward its first elections in nearly a decade.
In a statement posted on X, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti said Washington would view any such actions as destabilizing and potentially beneficial to armed gangs.
“The United States would consider 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 said.
The statement added that any attempt to alter the current government arrangement would undermine efforts to establish “a minimal level of security and stability” in Haiti, where gang violence continues to surge and poverty is deepening.
The warning comes as the Transitional Presidential Council faces increasing scrutiny over its mandate and looming deadlines. Laurent Saint-Cyr, the council’s leader, said in a separate statement that he opposes any move that would undermine government stability ahead of Feb. 7, when the council is provisionally scheduled to step down.
“As major institutional deadlines for the Nation approach, any initiative likely to fuel instability, confusion or a breakdown of trust carries serious risks for the country,” Saint-Cyr wrote. “Haiti cannot afford to make unilateral decisions or engage in short-sighted political calculations that would compromise the stability and continuity of the State, as well as the well-being of the already sorely tested population.”
The Transitional Presidential Council has been one of Haiti’s top governing authorities since April 2024. It was established with the backing of Caribbean leaders after powerful gangs forced the closure of Haiti’s main international airport and attacked key state infrastructure in an unprecedented wave of violence. Those events ultimately led former Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign.
The council was tasked with selecting a prime minister in an effort to quickly restore a measure of stability. The current prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, is the third leader chosen by the council. A businessman and former head of Haiti’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Fils-Aimé was appointed in November 2025 after the council dismissed former prime minister Garry Conille.
Under the existing agreement, the council is expected to step down by Feb. 7. That deadline was approved in early 2024, based on the assumption that Haiti would have held general elections to choose a new president.
However, persistent gang violence has so far prevented elections from taking place. Officials have tentatively scheduled general elections for August, with a potential runoff planned for December, though security conditions remain a major obstacle.
