During rare trip to Haiti, Blinken pledges help, calls for more support

“If our partners are patient with us, committed to us, we will achieve the goals. The progress we have made so far is actually quite remarkable,” he said.

The top US diplomat also saw reason for optimism.

“What I see is tremendous resilience and the emergence — the resurgence — of hope,” Blinken said.

Blinken addressed Haitians at a news conference in French: “We stand with you.”

The senior U.S. official sped through crowded streets littered with potholes and trash in an armored motorcade en route to a meeting at the U.S. ambassador’s secure residence, arriving at an airport that had only recently reopened limited commercial flights.

– Looking for elections –

No elections have been held in Haiti since 2016, creating a political vacuum that exacerbates existing security and health crises.

In hopes of a more legitimate government, the United States and Caribbean countries recently worked to establish a transitional council with representatives from key stakeholders, with Conille as interim prime minister.

“The next critical step that we talked about is setting up an electoral council. We hope to have that in place quickly,” Blinken told the transition council coordinator.

Blinken acknowledged that greater security would be the “bedrock” for all progress, including on elections.

Transitional Council coordinator Edgard Leblanc Fils said he hopes to go to the Electoral Council next week, with the goal of elections in November 2025 and a transfer of power in February 2026.

“Progress has been made in terms of safety, but much remains to be done,” said Leblanc Fils.

In recent years, gangs have taken over about 80 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, where there is little government left.

The administration of US President Joe Biden has pledged $360 million for the multinational mission to stabilise the country, including logistical support and equipment. However, it has also made it clear that it will not send US troops.

About 2,500 police officers are expected to take part in the mission, including from Bangladesh, Benin and Jamaica.