Haiti's US-backed PM takes power after transitional council steps down

Haiti's US-backed PM Takes Power

Port-au-Prince, Haiti - The transitional council has transferred power to US-backed Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, ending nearly two years of political instability. The ceremony took place under tight security in the capital, as the council dissolved amid internal conflicts and pressure from the United States.

Fils-Aime now leads Haiti's government, facing significant challenges including organizing general elections, which are unlikely to occur this year. The US has threatened action against members of the transitional council, while expressing support for Fils-Aime's efforts in combating gang activity.

The transitional council was established following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, intended to restore order and improve governance. However, its tenure has been marked by corruption and inefficiency, failing to achieve its stated goals.

Gang violence in Haiti has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced over a million people. The UN is deploying security forces to assist local authorities, though only about 1,000 troops have been deployed so far, with plans for a larger contingent by mid-2026.