On August 5, 2026, Haiti’s interim Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé convened a high-level strategic meeting with David Howell, the newly appointed interim Chargé d’Affaires of the United States to the Caribbean nation, marking a key step in advancing bilateral and international cooperation to address Haiti’s ongoing security crisis.
Beyond the core meeting with the Haitian prime minister, Howell also held discussions with a broad cross-section of key national and international stakeholders actively involved in Haiti’s security response operations. Attendees included leadership from the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), a specialized unit deployed to counter armed gang activity, as well as senior command from the Haitian National Police and the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H).
The talks centered on three critical pillars of Haiti’s national renewal: strengthening nationwide security, reestablishing full state authority across all Haitian territory, and consolidating democratic institutional stability. Participants used the strategic consultation to conduct a comprehensive review of the rapidly shifting on-the-ground security landscape, evaluate the performance of ongoing counter-insurgency and peacekeeping operations, and refine cross-force coordination mechanisms designed to deliver lasting public order.
A core focus of the dialogue was building a coordinated, effective, and long-term strategy to neutralize the threat posed by armed criminal gangs that have controlled large swathes of Haiti for years. Discussions also covered plans to expand the operational capacity of Haitian security forces, implement stronger protections for civilian communities, and advance the goal of fully restoring government control across the entire country.
Prime Minister Fils-Aimé reaffirmed during the meeting that advancing public security remains the top policy priority for his transitional government. He emphasized that sustainable security is the non-negotiable foundation for achieving broader national goals, including long-term political stability, economic recovery, and strengthening democratic governance across all state institutions. The prime minister welcomed the renewed commitment of the United States and other international partners to supporting Haiti’s stability, and stressed that all cooperation must be rooted in three core principles: shared responsibility for outcomes, full respect for Haiti’s national sovereignty, and measurable, tangible progress in local operations.
By the end of the meeting, both Fils-Aimé and Howell reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening coordination between the Haitian government and its international partners. The two sides agreed that coordinated action is essential to supporting the restoration of state authority, consolidating democratic institutions, and building the stable, secure conditions required to hold long-delayed national elections that are free, credible, transparent, and inclusive of all Haitian political groups.