The United States has pledged to remain actively engaged in Haiti’s future, reaffirming its commitment to security, stability, and democratic renewal, as Pope Leo XIV has called for a “disarmed peace” in the French-speaking Caribbean nation.
In a message marking Haiti’s 222nd anniversary of political independence from France, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remains committed to working alongside the Haitian people to strengthen national security, restore stability, and lay the groundwork for long-term prosperity.
Rubio said the United States continues to support the establishment of a Gang Suppression Force that would operate in coordination with Haitian security forces to bring an end to the violence carried out by criminal gangs and organizations designated by the United States as foreign terrorist entities.
He also acknowledged progress made by Haiti’s transitional government and provisional electoral council in preparations for the country’s first national elections in a decade, which are scheduled for 2026.
The secretary of state said the United States would continue to encourage and assist initiatives that ensure a secure and credible electoral process that allows Haitians to choose their leaders freely. He added that the anniversary provided an opportunity to celebrate Haiti’s resilience while reaffirming America’s enduring commitment to the Haitian people.
DÉCLARATION DU SECRÉTAIRE MARCO RUBIO
— U.S. Embassy Haiti (@USEmbassyHaiti) January 2, 2026
Le 1er janvier 2026
Fête de l'indépendance d'Haïti
Au nom des États-Unis d'Amérique, nous nous tenons aux côtés du peuple haïtien en ce jour de fête de l'indépendance et nous réaffirmons notre engagement à travailler avec vous pour… pic.twitter.com/sEMcXLeVSo
Meanwhile, Bishop Gontrand Décoste of Jérémie has welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s appeal for a disarmed peace, describing it as a powerful message of hope for a nation facing prolonged insecurity.
The bishop explained that a disarmed peace requires the complete absence of firearms and an immediate end to hostilities, while also involving a broader process of dialogue that encourages those who wield power through violence to lay down their weapons in order to restore national security and the authority of the state.
Bishop Décoste noted that despite ongoing efforts to counter criminal gangs, including plans for the Gang Suppression Force, large sections of the country remain under the control of coalitions of armed groups that continue to paralyze economic activity, block major roadways, and fuel the regional drug trade.
He warned that some individuals are profiting from insecurity and the illicit sale of ammunition while much of the population continues to live in extreme poverty. Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism about Haiti’s future.
“Haiti will not perish,” the bishop said, noting that more than four decades after Pope John Paul II’s historic visit, the call that Haiti will live continues to inspire the faith of the people.
He said Marian pilgrimages to Port au Prince have become acts of spiritual resistance against despair and violence, adding that the Haitian Church has embraced the words of Pope Leo XIV that evil will not prevail.
