Washington Reaffirms Support for Haitian National Police During Graduation of Nearly 900 Cadets from P4000 Project

PORT-AU-PRINCE.— The U.S. Chargé d'affaires in Haiti, Brandon Wooster, participated Friday in the graduation ceremony of nearly 900 cadets from the P4000 Project of the National Police Academy (ENP), reaffirming Washington's support for the stabilization and institutional strengthening efforts undertaken by the Haitian authorities.

During the event, organized in the presence of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and the President of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), Laurent Saint-Cyr, the American diplomat praised the strategic role of the U.S.-backed P4000 program in increasing the ranks of the Haitian National Police (PNH) amidst a security context marked by rising armed violence.

Mr. Wooster described the leadership of the head of the Haitian government as essential for ongoing stabilization efforts, emphasizing that security cooperation between the two countries remains a priority for Washington. “We reaffirm our unwavering support for the Haitian National Police,” declared the diplomat, surrounded by his embassy colleagues.

Beyond the operational aspect, the Chargé d'affaires insisted on the need to strengthen governance and accountability mechanisms within public institutions. “Stability and security require oversight and accountability,” Wooster reminded, believing that administrative impunity harms the state as much as impunity for crimes. According to him, many civil servants continue to receive their salaries and benefit from privileges without fully performing their duties, a phenomenon he deems detrimental to the Haitian state, the Haitian people, and American interests.

This stance comes as the transitional government multiplies announcements regarding the redeployment of state authority, the strengthening of Haitian National Police capabilities, and the preparation for upcoming elections. The P4000 Project aims to train an additional 4,000 police officers between 2026 and early 2027, with the goal of accelerating the recapture of territories under the influence of criminal groups and sustainably restoring public order.

Jean Mapou / Le Relief