Overview:
The U.S. Embassy confirmed the arrival of three American warships together with Coast Guard vessels in Haitian waters as gang violence intensifies and Haiti’s political transition nears a Feb. 7 deadline, signaling Washington’s rising function beneath the Trump administration.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince confirmed Tuesday that the three American naval vessels in Haitian waters are working as a part of a safety mission to assist stability in Haiti. The deployment comes as gang violence escalates and the Feb. 7 expiration of the Transitional Presidential Council’s mandate is days away.
The ships — the USS Stockdale, USCGC Stone and USCGC Diligence — arrived beneath Operation Southern Spear, in response to an embassy statement issued after photos of the vessels circulated broadly on social media on Feb. 3, prompting widespread response of Haitians the world over.
“On the course of the Secretary of Protection, the USS Stockdale, USCGC Stone and USCGC Diligence have arrived within the Bay of Port-au-Prince,” the embassy stated. “Their presence displays america’ unwavering dedication to Haiti’s safety, stability and brighter future.”
U.S. officers described the deployment as a deterrence and assist mission, not a direct navy intervention.
The arrival indicators heightened U.S. consideration at a second of overlapping crises: increasing gang management, stalled political negotiations and uncertainty forward of the Feb. 7 expiration of the Transitional Presidential Council’s mandate— and comes because the Trump administration pushes a broader effort to reassert U.S. affect within the Caribbean and Latin America by a security-first international coverage.
The USS Stockdale, a guided-missile destroyer, brings superior fight capabilities. The USCGC Stone, a Nationwide Safety Cutter, helps long-range patrol and counter-narcotics operations, whereas the USCGC Diligence conducts coastal law-enforcement missions.
The deployment follows remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio throughout a Jan. 28 Senate listening to, the place he stated america might have a stronger navy posture to confront gangs and transnational prison networks working in Haiti and elsewhere within the area.
Rubio described Haitian gangs as “transnational prison terrorist organizations” outfitted with weapons sometimes related to state actors, arguing that their actions threaten regional stability and U.S. nationwide safety by migration pressures and drug trafficking.
“They characterize a severe menace to the steadiness of the area,” Rubio stated. “We have to be ready to confront them in coordination with companions.”
Escalating gang violence with political transition in limbo
The U.S. naval presence comes as police intensify operations towards gangs, together with 400 Mawozo and different Viv Ansanm coalition associates, throughout Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. Since early 2026, authorities have reported the deaths of a number of armed gang members, together with seizures of high-caliber weapons and ammunition.
Regardless of these operations, assaults have continued. On Jan. 30, gangs killed no less than seven folks, together with a baby, within the commune of Kenscoff, burned houses and injured a number of others. Days later, members of 400 Mawozo vandalized and partially burned the nationwide soccer coaching heart in Croix-des-Bouquets, a symbolic website for youth improvement.
The U.S. naval vessels’ presence additionally coincides with Haiti nearing the top of the CPT’s mandate, set to run out Feb. 7. With simply days remaining, Haitian political actors stay deeply divided over what comes subsequent.
“Their presence displays america unwavering dedication to Haiti’s safety, stability, and brighter future.”
The U.S. Embassy in Haiti
Negotiations led by the Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) to dealer a consensus have stalled. Competing proposals embrace appointing a decide from the Courtroom of Cassation, forming a smaller governing council or shifting authority to the Council of Ministers. After three days of conferences with political events and civil society teams, three CPT members — Edgard Leblanc, Lesly Voltaire and Dr. Gérald Gilles — proposed a three-member governing physique that would come with the president of Haiti’s highest court docket, the Cour de Cassation.
Washington has already elevated stress on Haitian political leaders. 5 CPT members and a Haitian minister have been lately hit with U.S. visa restrictions after making an attempt to take away Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé.
As Haitians debate sovereignty, safety and international involvement, reactions to the U.S. naval presence stay blended. Some see it as a possible lifeline amid worsening insecurity, whereas others worry it indicators renewed exterior affect at a time when Haiti’s political future hangs within the stability.
Combined reactions from Haitians
Response to the U.S. naval presence has been divided throughout Haitian social media, notably on WhatsApp teams.
Some view the deployment as an indication of hope, believing worldwide assist might assist restore safety and curb the ability of armed gangs. Others stay skeptical, questioning the effectiveness of international intervention and warning that an elevated navy presence might deepen dependency and additional erode Haiti’s sovereignty.
“We all know what pursuits them, as has occurred many instances earlier than — Haiti’s sources, or political stress,” stated Wasly Simon, a Facebook user reacting to the embassy’s assertion. “It’s additionally doable they’ve broader regional goals, together with concentrating on Cuba.”
Simon stated international powers usually use moments of disaster to develop affect in susceptible international locations located within the World South. “These are the identical imperialist powers that helped create the crises within the first place,” he stated. “Haiti is an ideal instance.”