PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) — The Commander-in-Chief of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) in Haiti, Godfrey Otunge, has dismissed claims that the United States (US) has suspended aid to the force tasked with suppressing gang violence in the French-speaking country.

Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday, he said reports circulating across various media platforms that the mission was affected by US President Donald Trump’s sweeping executive orders to halt foreign aid, were misinformation.

Otunge said the mission in Haiti remains a priority for the US government but as with any transition in government, structural adjustments are expected.

“As part of the US administration’s ongoing 90-day review of development assistance, the MSS mission continues without interruption, with all necessary mechanisms in place. The only pending matter is the temporary suspension of the disbursement of approximately USD$13 million that the US contributed to the UN (United Nations) MSS Trust Fund, pending the overall review of development assistance,” he said.

Otunge said the amount is less than three per cent of the ongoing assistance to the MSS, which continues to receive strong support from other contributing nations.

The UN Trust Fund, he affirmed, remains funded to sustain the mission, adding that the US government suspended the execution of the executive order on the suspension of aid to the MSS mission.

While the US did not provide police officers for the mission, it’s the largest financial backer for training of officers provided by participating nations including Kenya.

The mission is also expected to receive CASEVAC and MEDEVAC helicopters from El Salvador by the end of this week.

“The MSS remains fully committed to restoring peace in Haiti,” Otunge said.