OEA - Informe CP INF. 11042 26 de 2026

OEA/Ser.G CP/INF. 11042/26 3 September 2026

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REMARKS BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE UPDATE REPORT ON THE SITUATION IN HAITI AND THE RESULTS OF THE VISIT OF THE

HIGH-LEVEL INTER-AMERICAN AND INTERNATIONAL DELEGATION

(Delivered during the regular meeting of the Permanent Council held on September 3, 2026)

PERMANENT COUNCILREMARKS BY OAS SECRETARY GENERAL, ALBERT R. RAMDIN, AT THE MEETING OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL: UPDATE REPORT ON THE SITUATION IN HAITI AND THE RESULTS OF THE VISIT OF THE HIGHLEVEL INTER-AMERICAN AND INTERNATIONAL DELEGATION

(September 3, 2026)

Thank you, Mr. Chair, Distinguished Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Haiti, Raina Forbin, Distinguished Permanent Representatives to the OAS, Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr. Carla Natalie Barnett, Permanent Observers, Ambassadors, Assistant Secretary General, Ambassador Laura Gil, Colleagues.

Mr. Chair, I want to begin by thanking you for accommodating this point in this Permanent Council session to address such an important issue for the Region: progress towards the security stabilization and preparation of elections in Haiti. Mr. Chair, I am grateful for this opportunity to report to Member States on the current situation in Haiti, on the ground following the visit of a High -Level Interinstitutional delegation to the country.

Firstly, I want to thank the Government of Haiti, and in particular, Prime Minister Didier Fils -Aimé, and the Foreign Minister, Raina Forbin, for the willingness to receive and constructively engage with this delegation. The dialogue during our visit was f rank and focused on solutions. I am very glad

Firstly, I want to thank the Government of Haiti, and in particular, Prime Minister Didier Fils -Aimé, and the Foreign Minister, Raina Forbin, for the willingness to receive and constructively engage with this delegation. The dialogue during our visit was f rank and focused on solutions. I am very glad Minister Forbin was able to join us today, thank you Minister. I want to also recognize the important efforts the Haitian authorities are undertaking in a very adverse political and security environment to manage the gap between citizen demands for rapid results on both fronts and what is possible to deliver on with current resources.

I also want to express my sincere appreciation to our Inter -American and international partners, including representatives from CARICOM, the United Nations (UN), the Pan -American Health Organization (PAHO), the Inter -American Development Bank (IDB), the Wo rld Bank, CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Inter -American Defense Board, and the Inter-American Defense College. We will also hear today from CARICOM Secretary General Carla Barnett, but I want to highlight that her participat ion and that of her team conveyed an important message of the shared and collective commitment to support Haiti at this critical moment.

At the end of the visit, we are left with a clear conclusion: we have to collectively speed up delivering on security and elections as Haiti’s two most immediate and interconnected priorities. I will proceed to give you updates on both issues and share wha t the OAS is currently doing to move the needle on those fronts.

The backdrop conducive to security and elections is the political environment and the stability of the government are the backdrop on which both depend.

We had constructive discussions with Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and reviewed frankly the progress achieved and the considerable challenges that remain. It is obvious that the Government of2Haiti requires national and international support to deliver on the fundamental objective of restoring a constitutional and democratically elected government through a credible and legitimate electoral

progress achieved and the considerable challenges that remain. It is obvious that the Government of2Haiti requires national and international support to deliver on the fundamental objective of restoring a constitutional and democratically elected government through a credible and legitimate electoral process. My key message in this realm, which we should all encourage Haitians to do, is to act in unity, and support the authorities as they lead Haiti out of the current crisis. From the standpoint of the OAS and partners, we remain ready to offer our good offices and best efforts to ensure political stability and basic governance for Haiti.

On Security

Haiti continues to face an acute security crisis, with heavily armed gangs controlling an estimated 8090% of Port-au-Prince and expanding their presence into other parts of the country, undermining state authority and public safety (as per a recent report by UNODC). There has been a noticeable surge in kidnappings and other violent crimes, as reported by the Haitian National Police, including of foreign citizens. The recent brutal gang attack in Kenscoff, which claimed dozens of lives and targeted already vulnerable displaced populations, is a stark reminder of the gravity of the crisis. As I have done publicly, we must condemn these attacks and realize the immense human and psychological toll that relentless violence continues to inflict on the Haitian people, robbing families of peace and young people of hope for a secure future. Indeed, we do not often refer to this but there are devastating human and psychological costs for the Haitians associated with this violence. Humanitarian consequences are severe with thousands of deaths recorded in the context of gang activity and security operations, with approximately 1.47 million displaced people, 6.4 million requiring humanitarian assistance, and more than 5.8 million projected to face acute food insecurity in 2026.

In this context, the efforts of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) are essential to regain territories, help the government reestablish public services and keep them from gang control. This, in turn, would help improve security and public safety, and create the conditions for a safe electoral process. Progress must

In this context, the efforts of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) are essential to regain territories, help the government reestablish public services and keep them from gang control. This, in turn, would help improve security and public safety, and create the conditions for a safe electoral process. Progress must be visible and measurable as soon as possible, and this is an area where we confirmed we need to be doing more. We know there are four immediate objectives: (1) reducing the territorial control of armed gangs, (2) securing the main route to the international airport, (3) ensuring sustained access to the airport and port, and (4) restoring secure access toward the south and the north of the country. These four wins will help guarantee much smoother preparations for the election, and basic security conditions for people in their day-to-day activities.

Our discussions with the leadership of the GSF reinforced our conviction that the Force must receive the personnel, financing, logistical support, and operational capabilities required to deliver results, as soon as possible. As we could witness, preparati ons in terms of infrastructure to receive troops and personnel are in place. While we thank the GSF leadership for their efforts in this regard, we call on OAS Member States and international partners that have pledged personnel, equipment, or financial resources to accelerate the fulfillment of those commitments. Time is of the essence.

I want to especially mention the contributions to the discussions made by the Inter-American Defense College, and the Board, especially Major General Joseph M. Lestorti, and his team, whose valuable perspectives and constructive engagement added great dept h to the dialogue and informed our collective reflections on the security issues, especially the implementation of the work of the GSF. We are currently evaluating avenues of cooperation from the College and Board to Haiti in the areas where we can add val ue, and always complementing the work of the GSF and what we already do via our Secretariat for Multidimensional Security.- 3A key point I need to mention regarding the GSF has to do with the renewal of the mandate. We know

we can add val ue, and always complementing the work of the GSF and what we already do via our Secretariat for Multidimensional Security.- 3A key point I need to mention regarding the GSF has to do with the renewal of the mandate. We know that this will be up for discussion at the UN Security Council in the next couple of months. The members of the inter-American delegation to Haiti expressed their full support for the renewal of the mandate of the GSF, and we hope that the Americas as a Region can also act with one voice in the UNSC to ensure this happens.

We also held consultations with the Minister of Justice and Public Security, the Minister of Defense, and the Director General of the Haitian National Police (HNP). In this regard, I am convinced that further action is both possible and necessary to suppor t the broader reconstruction of Haiti’s security architecture. While the GSF addresses the urgent imperative of confronting armed gangs and restoring State authority in territories under their control, parallel efforts must be pursued to ensure a longerterm strengthening of the institutions that will ultimately assume full responsibility for public security. Looking to the future, the rebuilding of the HNP must place Haitian police officers at the center of our collective efforts. This requires creating the conditions for a professional, capable, and resilient police service, supported by an effective criminal justice system, so that Haitian institutions are progressively positioned to sustain security gains and fully assume their responsibilities once the GSF mission concludes.

My discussions in Haiti also underscored the need for greater coordination among international partners supporting the reconstruction of the country’s security institutions. Numerous programs and initiatives are already underway, but their impact can be st rengthened through closer alignment, improved complementarity, and a clear governance framework. Such a framework should not only bring together the various international efforts but also ensure that Haitian security authorities exercise leadership in defining priorities, guiding implementation, and sustaining results.

The Organization of American States stands ready to contribute to strengthening this coordination, working alongside donors and implementing partners, and, above all, in close partnership with the

the various international efforts but also ensure that Haitian security authorities exercise leadership in defining priorities, guiding implementation, and sustaining results.

The Organization of American States stands ready to contribute to strengthening this coordination, working alongside donors and implementing partners, and, above all, in close partnership with the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the Haitian Nat ional Police. Our objective should be to help ensure that international support reinforces a coherent, Haitian -led security strategy capable of delivering lasting institutional capacity, public confidence, and stability.

On Health

The participation of PAHO in this delegation added value in terms of shedding light on the multidimensional nature of the security challenges in Haiti. PAHO has played a key role in the country. From controlling cholera outbreaks and supporting displaced p opulations to sustaining trauma care in Port-au-Prince and protecting women and children, PAHO's technical cooperation has remained a vital pillar of Haiti's health security throughout one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the Americas.

A key result of this visit is the commitment to work with the Haitian National Police (HNP) in building trauma centers to care for wounded officers. The OAS alongside PAHO and other partners will work towards this end, and we invite member states to suppor t this important endeavor with in -kind and financial support.- 4Elections

On elections, we recognize the work being undertaken by the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), the National Identification Office (ONI), the Government of Haiti, and other relevant institutions in preparation for the upcoming elections scheduled for December 13.

Our discussions with the CEP were open, wide ranging and constructive and they also made evident that acceleration of actions within the electoral timetable is required. Campaigns to register voters are being implemented but they need to be expanded, autho rities also need to accelerate the production and issuance of national identification cards, and to intensify public information, outreach, and voter mobilization campaigns.

Please note, dear Ambassadors and delegates, that citizens require a valid national ID card to be able

being implemented but they need to be expanded, autho rities also need to accelerate the production and issuance of national identification cards, and to intensify public information, outreach, and voter mobilization campaigns.

Please note, dear Ambassadors and delegates, that citizens require a valid national ID card to be able to register to vote and there is an outstanding gap of around 1 million cards, which are still needed to be produced and distributed. The National Identi fication Office (ONI) urgently needs more material support to meet this challenge. We are doing our part. During the visit, I signed a cooperation agreement with the Government of Japan for an additional US$3 million to strengthen civil identification, including the acquisition of 350 ,000 biometric identification cards, expanded mobile registration services, and stronger coordination between the ONI and the CEP. But Haiti needs more support on this from all of us.

The integrity of the process also requires confidence in the rules governing candidacies and their consistent application. Any concerns regarding candidate eligibility or potential links to illicit activities must be addressed transparently and in accordan ce with Haitian law and international electoral standards and good practices. We will be reaching out to the Venice Commission for more information regarding these types of elements in a credible and legitimate election for the consideration of Haitian authorities and will be ready to support the Haitian authorities, as requested.

At the same time, we will continue providing technical cooperation to the CEP in the development of systems for specific electoral needs, including registration systems for party representatives and polling station workers through the technical support pro vided via the OAS Electoral Task Force which has been in operation for a few months. This builds on the support we have already provided for the development of the software for the candidate registration system, which is now live and being used by the CEP.

Let me be clear: the work of the OAS Electoral Task Force is helping bring Haiti closer to credible elections, and we will ensure the support can be provided.

We will be careful to clearly define when the electoral cooperation and the electoral observation work

by the CEP.

Let me be clear: the work of the OAS Electoral Task Force is helping bring Haiti closer to credible elections, and we will ensure the support can be provided.

We will be careful to clearly define when the electoral cooperation and the electoral observation work begin and end. I want to also report that in the context of this mission, the OAS also received the invitation to deploy an Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) for the December elections, and our teams are already working on the preparations of the framework agreements, and proposals for this mission. Your financial contributions to be able to deploy this EOM will be essential.- 5Sustainable Development

While restoring security and conducting credible elections are essential priorities, it is equally important to keep sight of Haiti’s long-term development needs. Sustainable investments in education, employment, economic opportunity, and social inclusion are the only way to consolidate the gains achieved in the security realm, prevent young people from being drawn into gangs and violence, and address the root causes of instability. Similarly, sustainable development is the strongest guarantee that security gains will endure and that the outcome of future elections will be protected over the long term.

Let me be clear on this: Without tangible improvements in people’s lives, particularly for Haiti’s youth, progress in security and democratic governance will remain fragile.

This is why we made sure that financial institutions would join this visit. The delegation included representatives from the World Bank, the IDB and CAF Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. We are happy to report important synergies resulting from this visit to Haiti. The Republic of Haiti signed the agreements of accession to CAF Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, in an operation facilitated by the OAS. This will allow Haiti to access around 168 million dollars in financing, technical cooperation, and development tools.

We also signed a new agreement with Brazilian NGO Viva Rio, building on Canadian-supported work, to strengthen social cohesion and expand opportunities for youth and women affected by violence. Job creation and socio -economic inclusion are key priorities f or the OAS, and we remain committed to

cooperation, and development tools.

We also signed a new agreement with Brazilian NGO Viva Rio, building on Canadian-supported work, to strengthen social cohesion and expand opportunities for youth and women affected by violence. Job creation and socio -economic inclusion are key priorities f or the OAS, and we remain committed to advancing strategies that generate sustainable opportunities and promote inclusive growth. We welcome contributions, in kind and financial, to make this a reality.

Finally, I would like to share that the OAS will soon, in collaboration with private sector partners, including the Latin American Business Council (Consejo Empresarial de América Latina, CEAL), lead a delegation of business leaders to explore investment opportunities in Haiti aimed at creating jobs, generating sustainable income, and providing a brighter future for at -risk youth. The IDB, the World Bank and CAF have expressed interest in joining this effort. I am confident that this partnership and collective commitment will help drive meaningful economic opportunities, strengthen local communities, and contribute to Haiti’s long-term development and stability.

Closing

Following my visit to Haiti, I have been actively pursuing a series of follow -up actions to ensure that our engagement translates into concrete support for the Haitian people and does not remain solely at the level of discussion. Over the coming weeks, the Sustainable Development team within our Executive Secretariat for Integral Development will undertake a technical mission to work with the Minister of the Environment to identify and assess projects that the OAS can support and implement. In parallel, I have been convening both internal and external coordination meetings to ensure that we respond effectively to the priorities and requests expressed by the Haitian authorit ies. These engagements include discussions with the Inter-American Defense Board and Inter-American Defense College, the IDB, PAHO, and CAF, as well as collaboration with our colleagues across the Secretariat for Multidimensional Security (SMS) and the Secretariat for Strengthening Democracy (SSD/DECO).

Also tomorrow, September 4, I will convene the next meeting of the Group of Friends of Haiti to

for Multidimensional Security (SMS) and the Secretariat for Strengthening Democracy (SSD/DECO).

Also tomorrow, September 4, I will convene the next meeting of the Group of Friends of Haiti to continue mobilizing political, technical, and financial support. Minister Forbin will join us as well as6the United Nations leadership in Haiti. And as per AG56 Resolution on Haiti, I will keep the Permanent Council informed of any developments.

Allow me to close, Mr. Chair, pointing out that as per Operative paragraph 5 of AG/RES. 3051 (LVIO/26), I have submitted for the membership’s consideration a comprehensive report on the institutional architecture of the OAS in support of Haiti, a document that also highlights our complementarity with the work done by the UN in Haiti. I remain available for further consultations regarding this document, and to ensure alignment between the work being done by the OAS vis -à-vis the role of the United Nations.

Mr. Chair, Ambassadors, Haiti stands at a critical juncture. Our responsibility is clear: to strengthen security efforts, advance electoral preparations, deliver on the commitments already made, and ensure that international cooperation translates into tan gible improvements in the daily lives of the Haitian people.

Thank you.