Haiti – CARICOM Blocks Attempt to Remove Transitional Prime Minister

2026-01-30 - 14:19

Caribbean Community leaders have issued their strongest rebuke yet of internal instability within Haiti’s transitional governance structure, forcefully condemning efforts by members of the Transitional Presidential Council to remove caretaker Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. In a statement released Tuesday from the CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana, regional leaders described the move as both unacceptable and poorly timed, noting that it comes just two weeks before the council’s mandate is due to expire on February 7. CARICOM warned that such actions risk deepening political chaos at a moment when Haiti is already grappling with extreme insecurity and humanitarian distress. The regional bloc joined the United States and several Western partners in cautioning council members against actions that could further destabilize the country, where heavily armed gangs continue to terrorize communities, clash with security forces, and even fire on incoming aircraft. “The current impasse within the Haitian Transitional Presidential Council, following inconclusive efforts by some members to dismiss the prime minister, further complicates an already fragile governance transition,” the statement said. “Meanwhile, the people of Haiti continue to endure unimaginable violence and deprivation. This is unacceptable.” CARICOM leaders stressed that internal divisions at the highest levels of the state only benefit criminal groups and undermine national recovery. They urged council members to set aside political differences and reach consensus in the national interest, calling for calm, responsible leadership during what they described as an especially delicate phase of Haiti’s transition. “This level of internal turmoil at the top of the Haitian state is deeply troubling,” the statement continued. “What is urgently required is level-headed decision-making, a halt to fragmentation, and a renewed focus on restoring political stability, security, and peace so that elections can be held and economic recovery can begin.” The warning comes as Haiti attempts to prepare for its first elections in nearly 11 years, while joint operations by the Haitian National Police and military, supported by international forces led by Kenyan police officers, seek to reclaim territory seized by gangs. Adding to the pressure on the council, the U.S. State Department last week revoked the visas of two unnamed council members, citing allegations that they were undermining the transitional process and had links to criminal gangs. “These actions are being taken due to the involvement of certain council members in the operation of gangs and other criminal organizations in Haiti,” a U.S. spokesperson said, adding that the Haitian people have suffered enough from violence, destruction, and political infighting. Washington warned it would continue to pursue accountability for those destabilizing Haiti and the wider region. CARICOM reaffirmed its long-standing engagement with Haiti through its Eminent Persons Group, a three-member mediation team led by former St. Lucian Prime Minister Kenny Anthony. The bloc emphasized that the group remains available to facilitate dialogue among Haitian stakeholders. “CARICOM calls on all Haitian stakeholders to place the future of their people and country above all else, and to act with urgency, responsibility, and patriotism,” the statement said. Haiti’s security and political crises have deepened since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, an event that left the country without any fully elected national leadership and set the stage for prolonged instability.