July 12, 2025
The newly appointed U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Haiti, Ambassador Henry Wooster, met on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, with Haiti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, for an official introductory meeting. The encounter took place in a context of deepening insecurity and worsening living conditions across the country.
The two officials discussed a number of sensitive topics, including the impact of recent U.S. policy decisions on Haiti and the status of Haitian nationals residing in the United States. The Haitian minister emphasized the urgent need for stronger bilateral cooperation on security—an area both sides agreed to explore further in an upcoming working session.
Henry Wooster, who succeeds Dennis Hankins following his retirement, is a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in the Middle East and Europe. He previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Jordan and Deputy Chief of Mission in Paris and Islamabad, and held key strategic roles in Washington, particularly within the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.
Wooster arrived in Haiti on June 12 and represents a new phase in U.S.–Haiti relations, as Washington reassesses its regional strategy. Speaking in fluent French, he expressed a commitment to deepening dialogue with Haitian authorities, especially on migration and economic issues.
Although primarily ceremonial, this courtesy visit comes at a pivotal moment, as both countries seek to reshape their bilateral relationship. Whether this renewed engagement will yield concrete results—especially on the pressing security front—remains to be seen.
