U.S. officials have urged Haiti’s prime minister to prioritize the establishment of an electoral council as the nation works to reconstruct its government amidst widespread gang violence. Brian Nichols, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, emphasized the importance of this step during a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille. The officials acknowledged Conille’s efforts to improve security conditions but stressed the need for an electoral council.
Gang attacks in recent weeks led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry and the disbanding of his Cabinet. Gunmen took over police stations, targeted the main international airport, and raided Haiti’s largest prisons. A transitional council was subsequently formed, and Conille was appointed as the new prime minister. The council is tasked with appointing an electoral commission before the upcoming election, scheduled for Feb. 7, 2026.
During their meeting, Blinken and Conille discussed the next steps for the U.N.-backed foreign police contingent aimed at combating gang violence in Haiti. The first batch of around two hundred Kenyan police officers has been deployed to help restore stability. Criminal groups currently control about 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, leading to over 580,000 people being displaced in recent months, as noted in a report by the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration.
Todd Robinson, assistant secretary of State for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, stated that the U.S. has provided training and personnel to support the international mission in Haiti. The U.S. has also supplied armed vehicles, drones, and other equipment to strengthen the Haitian National Police in response to the surge in violent attacks. Additionally, support in terms of training and equipment has been extended to Haiti’s counternarcotics unit and border police divisions.
