HAITI-OAS Secretary General pledges continued support for Haiti.

PANAMA CITY, Panama, CMC – The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, has held talks with Haiti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Raina Forbin, “for a constructive exchange on the situation in Haiti and the path forward.

”Our discussion reaffirmed the importance of sustained, coordinated, and practical support for the Haitian people at this critical moment. Haiti’s transition must succeed as a bridge toward restored security, renewed institutional confidence, constitutional order, and the holding of credible, inclusive, and peaceful elections,” Ramdin said of the talks held ahead of the opening of the 56th Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly on Tuesday.

Ramdin reiterated that the OAS “remains committed to supporting Haitian-led efforts to stabilize the country, strengthen democratic institutions, and create the conditions necessary for the Haitian people to choose their leaders freely.

“This requires security progress, political responsibility, humanitarian attention, institutional strengthening, and a clear commitment by all stakeholders,” Ramdin said, adding that he had “expressed his support for the stability and success of the current transition until elections can be held.

“At the same time, I emphasized that the transition must remain focused and results-oriented,” Ramdin said, adding that in this regard, he is looking forward to visiting Haiti in the coming weeks “to continue consultations with national authorities, political and social actors, regional partners, and the international community.

“The OAS will continue to work closely with Haiti, CARICOM, the United Nations, and other partners to help align efforts and support concrete progress,” Ramdin added.

The proposed visit would follow that of the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, who paid a one-day visit last week confident that the country’s transition “is moving forward.

“A dynamic is there. And my call to the international community is therefore simple. Finally, assume your responsibilities,” Guterres said, urging all stakeholders to stand together with the Haitian people for “peace, for security and for dignity”.

Guterres, who held talks with Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, told a news conference that the biggest wave is not the violence of the gangs operating in the country.

Earlier this month, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, said that 2, 300 people have been killed in Haiti due to gang violence since the start of this year.

“In Haiti, gang violence has resulted in at least 2,300 deaths, 1,100 injuries and 99 kidnappings since the start of the year. The Gang Suppression Force (GSF) is urgently needed and needs to operate in line with international human rights law,” Turk said.

Late last year, the UN Security Council gave the green light for the GSF, a multinational police and military force, to combat escalating gang violence in Haiti. With a mandated troop size of up to 5,500, it replaces the previously under-resourced Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.

Meanwhile, Forbin and Ramdin joined Delphine Pronk, Deputy Director General for the Americas at the European External Action Service (EEAS), and Carlos Hoyos, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, at the launch of an EU-OAS initiative for the construction of five Forward Operating Bases ( FOBs ) in Port-au-Prince, to combat armed violence.

This project, jointly organized by the EU and the OAS around the theme “Safer societies: EU-OAS cooperation to combat firearms trafficking”, aims to strengthen the operational capacities of the Haitian National Police (PNH).

The project is funded by the European Union’s Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI) with Euro 10 million (One Euro = US$1.29). It aligns perfectly with national security priorities, emphasizing that it will contribute to increasing the presence of security forces in high-risk areas and consolidating recaptured territories.

In a pre-recorded message, the Director General of the Haitian National Police, Vladimir Paraison, presented the evolution of the security situation and the progress made by the national security forces in their efforts to restore security and regain control of territories affected by gang violence.

Ramdin reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to supporting Haiti in its efforts toward stabilization and institutional strengthening.

“At a time when Haiti is facing profound and complex challenges, this partnership between the OAS and the European Union is an important step in the right direction. It demonstrates the confidence placed in Haitian institutions and in the resilience of the Haitian people, as well as our shared determination to support a safer, more stable, and hopeful future for Haiti.

“Let us move forward together to contribute to the restoration of security, the strengthening of institutions, and the creation of the foundations for lasting peace and stability,” he added.

In her address, Pronk underscored the European Union’s commitment to making a concrete contribution to creating a safe and secure operational environment at this crucial time for Haiti, particularly through the establishment of these five Forward Operating Bases.