PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) — The new United States (US) Ambassador to Haiti, Henry Wooster, says his priority is to address the security situation in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country where criminal gangs have been seeking to overthrow the government.

In a video message, Wooster, who previously served in Haiti from 1998 to 2000, said he is honoured to return to lead the US Embassy “at such a crucial time”.

“I will work with the Haitian people to strengthen the relationship between our two countries and address the complex challenges we face,” he said, adding “In these unprecedented times, our priority is to address the security situation.”

“For far too long, criminal gangs have used violence to terrorise Haiti for their own personal gain at the expense of ordinary Haitians,” the US diplomat said.

Earlier this month, the United Nations (UN) said between October 2024 and June this year, Haiti had been caught in a vicious and unending cycle with gang violence expanding westward into the Artibonite and Centre Departments.

The UN said that since 2021 and the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, gang violence has dominated the capital Port-au-Prince which is now 85 per cent controlled by gangs.

Over 1.3 million Haitians have been displaced because of this violence, representing the largest displacement due to political upheaval in Haitian history, the UN said, noting that food insecurity among displaced Haitians is rampant, with Haiti being one of five countries worldwide which is experiencing famine-like conditions.

As of March 2025, the violence has also expanded into previously untouched areas of the country, specifically the Artibonite and Centre Departments where 92,000 and 147,000 people have been displaced respectively.

The US diplomat said that together with Haitians and the international community, “we will address the security crisis and strengthen international support for the Haitian National Police and the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission”.

The United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of the Kenya-led MSS until October 2, 2025, even though the MSS’s political mandate was extended to January 31, 2026.

Kenya had initially agreed to lead this mission and deploy up to 1,000 police officers to assist the Haitian National Police in combating gang violence and restoring order.

“I want to hear your voices, your ideas and your hopes for the future. The embassy is here to collaborate with Haitians and our partners to build a safer and stronger Haiti. We believe in Haiti’s potential,” Wooster said in the video.