Haiti announces Cabinet reshuffle, 11 new ministers appointed

Haiti’s government underwent a major Cabinet reshuffle on Monday, March 2, 2026, during a special meeting chaired by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé at the Prime Minister’s office. The reorganization includes 11 new ministerial appointments and several new directors general, alongside a decree declaring a state of emergency in the Artibonite, West, and Centre departments.

Six current ministers are expected to retain their positions, pending official confirmation. They include:

Patrick Pélissier, Minister of Justice
Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé, Minister of the Interior
Pédérica St-Jean, Minister for the Status of Women
Kathia Verdier, Minister for Haitians Living Abroad
James Monazard, Minister of Commerce
Bertrand Sinal, Minister of Public Health

The reshuffle introduces 11 new ministers, including three women, who are also subject to confirmation. Key appointments include:

Mario Andrésol, Minister of Defense, replacing Jean Michel Moïse
Sandra Paulemont, Minister of Planning and External Cooperation, replacing D. A. Ketleen Florestal
Raina Forbin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, replacing Jean Harvel Victor Jean-Baptiste
Pastor Vijonet Demero, Minister of Education, replacing Antoine Augustin
Marcelin Aubourg, Minister of Agriculture, replacing Vernet Joseph
Emmanuel Ménard, Minister of Culture, replacing Patrick Delatour
Stéphanie Smith, Minister of Tourism, replacing Herrick John Dessources
Marc-Élie Nelson, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, replacing Georges Wilbert Franck
Joseph Almathe Pierre-Louis, Minister of Public Works, replacing Raphaël Hosty
Dumas Pithagore, Minister of Youth, Sports, and Civic Action, replacing Niola Lynn Sarah Devalis Octavius

The new cabinet will comprise 17 ministers, with women representing just under 30 percent of the leadership. Authorities are expected to officially publish the full list of appointments soon.