Haiti on the Eve of February 7: Political Standoff, International Pressure, and Institutional Uncertainty

Port-au-Prince, Sunday, January 25, 2026 —Days before February 7, 2026, the announced end date for the mandate of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) and the government, the Haitian political scene is marked by confusion at the highest levels of the state, fueled by the contested revocation of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, internal divergences within the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), and explicit pressures from the international community.

In a statement published on January 23, 2026, the U.S. Department of State indicated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé to reaffirm Washington's support for the country's stability and security. U.S. authorities insisted on the continuity of the Prime Minister's mandate in the fight against armed gangs and called for the dissolution of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) before February 7, while warning that «corrupt politicians supporting gangs will have to pay the price.» This marks the third U.S. position statement since five presidential advisors questioned the status of the head of government.

Internally, the situation remains deeply divided. Presidential advisors Edgard Leblanc Fils and Leslie Voltaire assert that Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé has been revoked, while he was seen on the same day at the graduation ceremony of the 35th class of the PNH, alongside other CPT members, notably Laurent Saint-Cyr, Emmanuel Vertilaire, and Frinel Joseph, reinforcing the impression of institutional double-speak.

However, several national voices support the decision of the five presidential advisors. For Haitian journalist Wendy Phele, the adoption of the resolution constitutes an act of resistance against «external pressures,» stating that the responsibility for consequences after February 7 cannot fall on the signatories. She also hopes for a revival of the corruption case involving the (BNC) National Credit Bank after the transition.

For his part, Leslie Voltaire, a member of the Transitional Presidential Council, reaffirms that the CPT will leave power on February 7 and advocates for a Haitian-Haitian solution, based on a sovereign vision for the reconstruction of the state and the organization of democratic elections. This position is also defended by presidential advisor Smith Augustin, who claims to have voted for and signed the resolution «in full legality,» rejecting international pressures and stating his readiness to answer before «the judgment of History.»

Conversely, former deputy Deus Dorenneth considers the Prime Minister a factor of tension to be removed, while also denouncing international interference. However, he emphasizes that no transition without a political agreement can avoid an institutional vacuum. This concern is tempered by former provisional president Privert Jocelerme, who assured that the Council of Ministers could manage the interim period and called for calm.