Diplomatic Offensive in the United States: Security, Elections, Diaspora, and Economy at the Heart of Haitian Priorities

Washington/Port-au-Prince, July 2025 — Amidst a security and institutional transition, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé has embarked on a high-level diplomatic tour in the United States, marked by a series of strategic meetings with key officials from the American administration, Congress, and regional organizations. This diplomatic offensive aims to consolidate partnerships around four major axes: security, the holding of credible elections, the protection of Haitian migrants, and support for economic recovery. National Security: Absolute Priority From Port-au-Prince to Washington, the security situation occupied a central place in the discussions. The Prime Minister met with Christopher Landau, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, with whom he reaffirmed the need for strengthened international cooperation to dismantle armed networks and restore citizen trust. This priority was also addressed with Michael Jensen, Director for the Western Hemisphere at the National Security Council (NSC), as well as with U.S. parliamentarians Michael Lawler (R-NY), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA), all sensitive to Haiti's current security challenges. Elections and Return to Republican Order Electoral matters were extensively discussed during each meeting. The Prime Minister outlined the progress made in establishing the Provisional Electoral Council and emphasized the importance of a secure environment conducive to free, inclusive, and credible elections. The Organization of American States (OAS) reiterated its support for this process. Its Secretary General, Albert Ramdin, welcomed the Haitian government's political will and announced a meeting of the Group of Friends of Haiti scheduled for July 29, 2025, to strengthen the coordination of international support. Diaspora, Migration, and National Dignity The meetings on July 16, 2025, highlighted another priority of Haitian diplomacy: the protection of Haitian migrants and the promotion of the diaspora. In Washington, the Prime Minister advocated, with Hakeem Jeffries, Maxine Waters, and Gregory Meeks, for the maintenance and strengthening of humanitarian protection programs (TPS, special programs) for Haitians living in the United States. He insisted that no lasting solution for Haiti can be envisioned without considering the realities of its diaspora, an indispensable actor in national recovery. This position was also supported during a constructive exchange with Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who reaffirmed her personal commitment to supporting the Haitian government's initiatives in security, democratic institutions, and sustainable development. Economic Cooperation: The Plea for HOPE/HELP With Senator Raphael Warnock, the Prime Minister also advocated for the renewal of the HOPE/HELP Act, a fundamental pillar of economic cooperation between Haiti and the United States. He highlighted the vital role of this law in the development of the Haitian textile sector, the creation of sustainable jobs, and the fight against poverty. An Offensive and Strategic Diplomacy This intense diplomatic sequence marks a new direction in Haitian foreign policy: that of an offensive, coherent, and resolutely focused diplomacy on concrete solutions. Through this series of meetings, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé intends to position Haiti not as a recipient country, but as a committed partner for regional security and shared prosperity. By Gesly Sinvilier