Haiti: When American Sanctions and Diplomatic Pressure Set the Pace for the Political Crisis

Port-au-Prince, Wednesday, November 26, 2025 – The United States' decision to sanction Fritz Alphonse Jean, a member of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), has sent shockwaves through the Haitian political class, reigniting the debate on foreign interference and internal power struggles. This measure, justified by Washington by "alleged links with armed gangs," is perceived by many local actors as an attempt to influence the composition of the government and to block the dismissal of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, whose inability to govern is nevertheless evident according to presidential advisor Fritz Alphonse Jean. A Sanction That Divides Fritz Alphonse Jean, advisor-president representing the Montana Accord, firmly rejected the American accusations. "I categorically refute the accusation made against me by the American authorities of my involvement with armed gangs or other criminal elements," he declared, demanding proof and affirming his determination to pursue the revocation of the Prime Minister for "incompetence and insubordination." This position received public support from many political figures. Claude Joseph, former Prime Minister and leader of the EDE party, expressed his solidarity with the advisor, denouncing the "foreign diktat." "I was the first to produce solid and well-argued criticisms of his work. However, today I want to commend his courage," he declared, recalling that he himself had submitted a three-page document to American Chargé d'Affaires Henry T. Woster detailing "Didier Fils-Aimé's failure." However, Fritz Alphonse Jean's isolation during his press conference, where only Lesly Voltaire was present, illustrates the fractures within the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT). Advisors Edgard Leblanc Fils and Louis Gérald Gilles, despite being signatories of the resolution against the Prime Minister, were notably absent. Interference Perceived as Obvious For many observers, the sanction against Fritz Alphonse Jean is directly linked to his opposition to the Prime Minister supported by the American and Canadian embassies. Moïse Jean Charles, leader of the Pitit Desalin party, sees it as an "affront to Haitian society" and proof of foreign interference. Former American diplomat Pierre Antoine Louis agrees, believing that "Haiti is under tutelage." A sentiment shared by Roberson Alponse, who stated on Radio Magik 9: "It feels like the security problem has become a pretext for certain people to remain in power. It's cynical." Political parties and groups signatory to the Political Consensus for National Recovery describe the messages from the American and Canadian ambassadors as "unacceptable interference." Outraged, these leaders urge the members of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) to rectify what they consider a "national disgrace." Haitian Diplomacy's Silence Criticized More than twenty-four hours after the disclosure of messages from foreign diplomats, the Haitian Chancellery remains silent, causing incomprehension and indignation. However, Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations clearly stipulates the "duty not to interfere in the internal affairs" of the accrediting state. The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), Harvel Jean Baptiste, is particularly criticized. For several observers, this absence of a clear position reflects a worrying diplomatic fragility and highlights the minister's inability to defend the sovereignty of the Haitian state. The CPT President's Contrary Position In this crisis, Laurent Saint-Cyr, president of the Transitional Presidential Council, takes a different stance. He firmly opposes any eviction of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, believing that "these actions have created real concern within national public opinion, raised legitimate concerns among our international partners, and now pose a serious threat to the country's stability." In a letter to the Council members, he calls for "unity, wisdom, and national responsibility," believing that a change of government "less than two months before February 7 would deal a severe blow to efforts already underway to restore security." A Context of Institutional Fragility The current crisis highlights persistent tensions between national sovereignty and the influence of international partners. While the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) is supposed to steer the transition towards democratic elections, diplomatic pressures seem to guide its internal decisions. Filmmaker Richard Senecal bitterly observes: "The reality is that foreign diplomats often prefer to work politically with those who lack scruples, precisely because they can easily pressure them and get what they want." Garry Pierre-Paul Charles, in a scathing indictment, accuses the sanctioned advisor of being "the true gravedigger of democracy," highlighting the polarization of discourse. However, the absence of public evidence for the American accusations fuels skepticism. Towards an Escalation...? While Fritz Alphonse Jean asserts he will not yield to pressure, the international community, particularly the United States and Canada, seems determined to maintain its stance. The U.S. State Department affirms: "The Trump Administration stands firmly with the Haitian people who wish to see the end to ongoing violence." An American official had warned: "This is not the time to test U.S. resolve." This determination contrasts with the calls for national sovereignty from many Haitian politicians. In a country grappling with a multidimensional crisis, the legitimacy of transitional institutions is more at stake than ever, torn between popular expectations and international political reality, while the group "Kasasyon Nou Prale" is already demanding the collective resignation of CPT members and the government, believing that these revelations "confirm the collapse of the CPT's legitimacy and credibility."