On the sidelines of the 56th Organization of American States (OAS) General Assembly, which is being hosted in Panama City from June 22 to 24, 2026, regional and international stakeholders have formally launched a joint security initiative aimed at stabilizing crisis-hit Haiti. The partnership between the European Union and the OAS will deliver five new Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, a critical investment to boost the Haitian National Police (PNH)’s capacity to combat widespread armed violence and arms trafficking.
Centered on the guiding theme “Safer societies: EU-OAS cooperation to counter firearms trafficking”, the project targets a longstanding gap in operational infrastructure for Haiti’s national security forces, who have struggled to regain control of territory seized by violent armed gangs in recent years. Funded through the European Union’s Foreign Policy Instrument, the initiative carries a total budget of 10 million euros, equivalent to approximately 11.6 million U.S. dollars, with all construction work scheduled for completion by the middle of 2027.
Speaking on behalf of the Haitian government, Haitian Foreign Minister Raina Forbin welcomed the collaborative project, noting that it aligns fully with the country’s top national security priorities. Forbin emphasized that the new FOBs will directly expand the presence of security forces in high-risk gang-controlled areas and help consolidate gains in territory that has already been recaptured by government forces. In a pre-recorded address to the launch event, PNH Director General Vladimir Paraison provided an update on the evolving security landscape, outlining progress that national security forces have made in ongoing efforts to restore public order and reassert state control over territory impacted by gang violence.
OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin reaffirmed his organization’s long-term commitment to supporting Haiti’s efforts to achieve national stabilization and strengthen state institutions. “At a time when Haiti faces profound and complex challenges, this partnership between the OAS and the European Union marks an important step in the right direction,” Ramdin said. “It demonstrates the confidence placed in Haiti’s institutions and the resilience of the Haitian people, as well as our shared determination to support a safer, more stable and hopeful future for Haiti.” Ramdin also stressed the urgent need for the full deployment of the planned Gang Suppression Force (FRG), a key component of Haiti’s national security strategy to push back against armed groups.
Delphine Pronk, Deputy Director General for the Americas at the European External Action Service (EEAS), also spoke at the launch, underlining the EU’s commitment to delivering tangible support to Haiti at this decisive juncture. Pronk noted that the construction of the five advanced operating bases is a concrete step toward creating a safer, more functional operational environment for Haitian security forces as they work to restore peace across the country. The launch event was also attended by Carlos Hoyos, Deputy Foreign Minister of Panama, the host nation for this year’s OAS General Assembly.