Haiti's Transitional Council Transfers Power to US-Backed Prime Minister

The transfer of power in Haiti has been marked by the country's transitional council handing over executive authority to US-backed Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, amidst ongoing gang violence and a deepening political crisis. The council's decision comes after it failed to quell the rampant gang violence plaguing the Caribbean nation, with gangs now controlling 90 percent of the capital Port-au-Prince. Fils-Aimé, who has received backing from the United States, faces the daunting task of organizing elections with the support of a polarized political establishment.

Key Points

Haiti's transitional council has transferred power to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé.
The council was created in April 2024 to oversee the country's transition to a new government.
Fils-Aimé has received backing from the United States, which has sent three warships to Haiti.
Gangs control 90 percent of the capital Port-au-Prince, with nearly 6,000 people killed in 2025.
The country has not had a president since Jovenel Moise was assassinated in July 2021.
Elections have not taken place since 2016, with the country preparing for its first general elections in a decade.
The United States has sanctioned two council members and a minister, accusing them of supporting gangs.
Fils-Aimé has pledged to prioritize security, dialogue, and elections.
The transfer of power took place under tight security, given Haiti's unstable political climate.

Background

Haiti's political crisis has been ongoing for several years, with the country struggling to recover from the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021. The transitional council was created in April 2024 to oversee the country's transition to a new government, but it has been unable to quell the rampant gang violence plaguing the country. According to a report by MSF: Gang-wracked Haiti capital 'systematically' terrorised by sexual violence, the capital Port-au-Prince has been "systematically terrorized" by gang violence, with frequent murders, rapes, and kidnappings. The United Nations has reported that gangs killed nearly 6,000 people in 2025, with about 1.4 million people displaced by the violence. As noted by Yahoo News: Haiti's ruling council leaves behind tainted legacy, as power remains in hand of gangs, the country's ruling council has left behind a tainted legacy, with power remaining in the hands of gangs.

The United States has been closely involved in Haiti's political crisis, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaking to Prime Minister Fils-Aimé on Friday to express his support. As reported by MSN: Rubio calls Haiti's prime minister after stern U.S. warning against ousting him, Rubio stressed the importance of Fils-Aimé's continued tenure as prime minister to combat terrorist gangs and stabilize the island. The United States has also sanctioned two council members and a minister, accusing them of supporting gangs. According to CBS News: U.S. sends warning as Haiti transitional council's term is set to expire Saturday, the United States has sent a warning to Haiti's transitional council as its term is set to expire, with the country's politicians unable to arrive at a consensus for governing.

Analysis

The transfer of power in Haiti marks a significant development in the country's ongoing political crisis. As noted by Newsday: Haiti's presidential council dissolves after rocky tenure as unelected US-backed ruler remains, the country's presidential council has dissolved after a rocky tenure, with the US-backed prime minister remaining in power. The United States has thrown its support behind Fils-Aimé, who faces the daunting task of organizing elections with the support of a polarized political establishment. As reported by Jamaica Observer: Haitian group seeks Caricom intervention amid efforts to remove prime minister, a Haitian group has sought intervention from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) amid efforts to remove the prime minister. The country's deepening political crisis has been marked by ongoing gang violence, with gangs controlling 90 percent of the capital Port-au-Prince.

The international community has been closely watching developments in Haiti, with the United Nations reporting on the country's humanitarian crisis. According to Benzinga: Haiti Council Moves To Oust Prime Minister, Defying US, the country's transitional council has moved to oust the prime minister, defying warnings from the United States. The move has deepened the country's political dispute, with the United States publicly asserting its support for Fils-Aimé. As noted by Haitian Times: Alix Didier Fils-Aimé becomes Haiti's de facto head of state after CPT's exit, Fils-Aimé has become the country's de facto head of state after the CPT's exit, pledging security, dialogue, and elections.

What's Next

The transfer of power in Haiti marks a significant development in the country's ongoing political crisis. As the country prepares for its first general elections in a decade, Fils-Aimé faces the daunting task of organizing elections with the support of a polarized political establishment. The United States has thrown its support behind Fils-Aimé, who has pledged to prioritize security, dialogue, and elections. According to MSN: Haiti's presidential council relinquishes power; prime minister to run country for now, the country's presidential council has relinquished power, with the prime minister set to run the country for now. The international community will be closely watching developments in Haiti, with the country's deepening political crisis marking a significant challenge for the new government.