Haiti: Washington Threatens Sanctions to Counter Any Destabilization Attempt

Port-au-Prince, November 20, 2025— Faced with rising political tensions and the deepening institutional crisis in Haiti, the United States is raising its tone. In a message published Wednesday evening on the X network, US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, issued an explicit warning against any initiative aimed at exacerbating instability or further weakening national institutions.

“It is time for gang violence and infighting among political actors to cease,” declared the American diplomat. Calling for a surge of unity among Haitian officials, he insisted on the urgency of ending behaviors he deems harmful to the country's political stability.

Washington, which has been sending signals of impatience for several months, is now considering targeted coercive measures. According to Landau, the United States, in coordination with several partners on the continent, is developing a set of sanctions including visa revocations and other restrictions aimed at targeting actors accused of sabotaging the political process.

This approach is part of the American strategy to curb armed group violence and deter political maneuvers deemed destabilizing.

This warning comes as the capital is shaken by a resurgence of tensions. Persistent rumors suggest that Prime Minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, could be revoked, fueling an atmosphere of political uncertainty. In a country deprived of elections for years, without a functional Parliament, and in search of a new transitional framework, this situation further weakens an already contested executive.

The absence of a clear electoral calendar continues to fuel the frustration of a population facing the collapse of public services, the resurgence of armed violence, and administrative paralysis.

By threatening sanctions, Washington clearly seeks to send a signal: no attempt to overthrow the institutional order or prolong the crisis will be tolerated. The United States thus reaffirms its commitment to a stable political process, a swift return to constitutional order, and the creation of conditions conducive to credible elections.

For Christopher Landau, the moment is decisive for the future of Haiti. The diplomat urges national actors to end obstructionist strategies and prioritize dialogue, warning that the international community will not remain a spectator in the face of potential excesses.

Jean Mapou