February 8, 2026
Amid regional security realignment, Haiti is now authorized to acquire defense equipment and services for its coast guard under the U.S. budget law for fiscal year 2026, enacted on February 3. The law also allows up to $5 million in non-lethal and operational support for the Haitian Armed Forces, a first since their reconstitution in the 1990s.
This decision reflects strengthened cooperation between Washington and Port-au-Prince, materialized in recent months through direct exchanges between U.S. military officials and Haitian authorities. The U.S. Embassy notes that these joint efforts with the Haitian National Police (HNP) and specialized units aim to contain armed gangs and stabilize the country.
For Defense Minister Jean-Michel Moïse, the move marks a strategic turning point, as the FAd’H had “never previously received U.S. military assistance.” He sees it as the beginning of a structuring partnership to enhance national capacity and reinforce the army’s role in restoring security.
Operationally, the U.S. posture has included the recent deployment of naval and coast guard vessels in Port-au-Prince Bay as part of Operation Southern Spear. Washington thus reaffirms its commitment to a safer Haiti, at a time when gangs are increasingly viewed as a transnational threat.
This development comes as Haitian ports face pressure following formal warnings from the U.S. Coast Guard over serious security deficiencies. Amid impending inspections, sanction risks, and port security contracts still under review, U.S. military support also appears as leverage to meet international standards and secure critical infrastructure.
