The US views security in Haiti as "indispensable" before elections with an uncertain date

Port-au-Prince.- U.S. Under Secretary of State Christopher Landau met this Friday in Port-au-Prince with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé to discuss the restoration of security, a "indispensable" condition for the holding of general elections which, to date, remain uncertain for this year, as planned.

"This high-level official visit marks a decisive political turn: the White House aligns its total, exclusive, and unwavering support behind the head of the Haitian Government", the Government wrote in a press release, underlining that Fils-Aimé described the meeting as being of "high strategic importance".

During the meeting, Deputy Secretary of State Landau praised "the leadership and determination" of Fils-Aimé, reiterating that his Government is the "legitimate pivot" to lead the country towards free and sovereign elections. According to the document, the "progressive reconquest of control of the strategic areas of the capital" was discussed, which are held by the powerful armed gangs that sow terror in the country, mainly in Port-au-Prince. Furthermore, it was agreed upon the "full restoration of institutional activity in the National Palace" and cooperation in combat, marked by the "joint strengthening" of the National Police and the Armed Forces of Haiti. "Faced with the crisis, Washington chooses clarity. This meeting sends a strong signal on the international stage: the United States joins the (Haitian) Prime Minister to restore the authority of the State, dismantle criminal networks and stabilize institutions," the government statement said.

You can also read: Flights between the Dominican Republic and Haiti will resume starting May 30

During this meeting, in which Landau was accompanied by a high-ranking delegation, Fils-Aimé presented the "concrete victories" of the security forces over the armed gangs.

Last week, the Haitian Prime Minister had already stated that elections will be held in Haiti when they have dealt with the armed gangs, a statement that, like today's, makes it very unlikely that the elections will take place as scheduled on August 30th, given the high levels of violence.

Only during the first quarter of 2026, at least 1,642 people died and 745 were injured, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (Binuh) recently documented.

The UN agency said that gangs were responsible for 27% of the victims, while the operations of the security forces caused 69% of the deaths and injuries, with dozens of civilians among them, including children. Self-defense forces caused the remaining 4%. On April 1st, the first troops from Chad arrived in Haiti, who will form the Gang Suppression Force, approved by the United Nations to confront armed gangs, and which stipulates a maximum of 5,500 elements from various nations.