Overview:

With four months left in Haiti’s transitional government mandate, U.S. diplomat Henry Wooster is pressuring Haitian authorities to set a clear electoral timetable, saying neither insecurity nor constitutional concerns justify further delay.

PORT-AU-PRINCE — The United States is pressuring Haiti’s transitional authorities to present a clear timeline for national elections, warning that neither insecurity nor constitutional concerns justify further delay. In a video message posted on the U.S. Embassy’s Facebook page, Chargé d’Affaires Henry Wooster told Haitian leaders that their roles “are not for life” and urged them to “do their part” by proposing a specific, time-bound transition plan.

With just four months remaining before the transitional government’s mandate expires on Feb. 7, 2026 — and no elections held since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse — the U.S. sees a critical window to push Haitian leaders toward a democratic transfer of power. Wooster’s unusually direct remarks reflect growing international concern that without progress, Haiti risks slipping further into prolonged interim rule and political stagnation.

“Political positions are not for life. Everyone must support security in Haiti and enable its transition,” Wooster said on Oct. 4, after returning from New York.

His comments came just days after the U.N. Security Council voted to replace the outgoing Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) with a new, more robust Gang Suppression Force (GSF). The new 5,500-member international force, backed by a U.N. support office in Port-au-Prince, is intended to stabilize the country ahead of elections. But while Canada has pledged 40 million Canadian dollars, full funding and troop commitments remain uncertain.

“The result today allows us to have the necessary reconfiguration on the ground to face the gangs,” said Panama’s representative after the vote.

While the U.S. and Panama see the force as a first step toward elections, Haiti’s internal gridlock remains a major obstacle.

Between elections and another transition

As the transitional authorities remain silent, political leaders are split over what comes next. Some argue elections cannot be rushed; others insist another interim government would only deepen the crisis.

Former Senator Jean Renel Sénatus urged caution, warning that hastily organized elections could “sink Haiti into another 50 years of instability.” Instead, he supports a new transition led by a judge from the Court of Cassation.

“Only a proper transition led by the Court of Cassation can rebuild the nation and put the country back on the path of normalcy and legality,” Sénatus said on X.

Anglade Colson, spokesperson for the Federation of Youth Organizations (FOJ), echoes Senator Sénatus’s position. He reaffirms his organization’s support for entrusting the transitional process to the Court of Cassation, a judicial institution they believe can lead to a genuine national refoundation and provide a lasting solution to the political crisis and governance challenges.

Now is the time for Haiti’s TPC and government officials to do their part to present a specific, time-bound plan for elections and political transition.”

Henry Wooster, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Haiti

On social media, Haitians weighed in on the debate, rejecting the idea of another transition. Many argued that the country cannot endure yet another interim government and called for elections to let the people choose their next leaders.

“I’ll say it again, gentlemen, the country can no longer endure another transition. Let the elections take place so the people can choose someone to lead them,”  said Sondieu Lunel Georges in his X account.

“Every time I hear talk of a transition, I get scared and feel like running away, because Haiti risks spending its life in endless transitions with the same actors—only the drivers change, but it’s always the same machine of stagnation, ” said another user, Ronel Thermessant on X. 

A fragile path toward the polls

The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) recently began recruiting electoral agents, as nearly 6.3 million Haitians now have the ID required to vote, according to the National Identification Office (ONI).

But widespread insecurity continues to block progress. According to the UN Human Rights Office report, more than 16,000 people have been killed and 1.3 million displaced since 2022. Gangs control nearly 90% of Port-au-Prince, cutting off major roads and displacing entire neighborhoods.

In this climate, the Haitian National Police (PNH) is racing to strengthen its ranks. On Oct. 5, 892 new police recruits began training in the presence of government and diplomatic officials.

“Your training over the next four months must prepare you to confront disruptive forces and become guardians of the rule of law,” said Presidential Council member Lesly Voltaire.

The government says the new fiscal year includes more resources for the PNH to expand personnel and equipment — a critical step as the new UN-backed force prepares to deploy.

Officials have not explained how voting would take place in gang-controlled zones. Neither Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé nor the nine members of the TPC have responded publicly to Wooster’s remarks.

Wooster warned that past failures to hand over power have fueled Haiti’s instability.

“There needs to be a democratically elected head of state. Whether, how, and the details of the constitution are matters for Haiti to decide,” the ambassador said. 

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