President-Advisor Smith Augustin Meets OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro

On an official trip to the United States, President-Advisor Smith Augustin met this Thursday with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Mr. Luis Almagro. Strengthening regional cooperation regarding Haiti's security and humanitarian situation was at the heart of the discussions, the presidency announced in a statement this Thursday.

During the meeting, President Augustin provided an overview of the country's security situation, highlighting the transnational nature of the crime prevalent there, given that armed groups operating on national territory are supplied by illicit international networks trafficking in arms, ammunition, drugs, etc.

In the face of this significant threat, Augustin advocated for reinforced support from international partners, particularly with a view to backing the request of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, aimed at mobilizing 900 million US dollars for the full and effective deployment of the 2400 members of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) in Haiti.

For his part, OAS Secretary General Almagro expressed support for President Augustin's proposal to urgently organize a regional symposium on the security situation in Haiti. The objective is to deepen the understanding of the structural causes, national challenges, and transnational dimensions of crime in Haiti; contribute to the development of an international strategic response plan; and secure international commitment for the financing of said plan, among other things.

President Smith Augustin also reiterated the firm commitment of the Transitional Council to a return to institutional democratic order, through the organization of a constitutional referendum and upcoming elections, which should lead to the transfer of power to an elected president in February 2026.