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Haiti

Capital: Port-au-Prince

At a Glance

Government
Transitional Council (post-PM Henry, 2024)
Head of State
Transitional Presidential Council
Population
~11.5 million
GDP
~$20 billion

Alliances & Memberships

  • UN
  • CARICOM
  • OAS
  • OIF

Foreign Policy Overview

State collapse; Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission deployed 2024; gang control of capital.

Key Positions on Major Issues

Security restoration; humanitarian crisis; reparations from France.

UN Voting Record Notes

CARICOM aligned when functional.

Economy & Trade

Haiti's economy is characterized by extreme fragility, with a GDP heavily dependent on services and agriculture, and a significant portion of its income derived from personal remittances (over 20% of GDP). Key exports include apparel and scrap metal, primarily targeting the United States under the HOPE/HELP Acts, while fuels and food staples dominate imports. The Gourde (HTG) remains highly volatile due to hyperinflation and the lack of a functional central fiscal authority. The country's primary trade partners include the United States, the Dominican Republic, and China.

Military & Security

The Haitian National Police (PNH) is the primary internal security force, though it remains severely under-equipped to combat gang coalitions like 'Viv Ansanm.' The Haitian Armed Forces (FAD’H), disbanded in 1995 and reinstated in 2017, remains small and focused on disaster response rather than combat. Since 2024, the UN-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, led by Kenya, provides essential security assistance. Haiti remains a non-nuclear state and its current doctrine is centered on internal restoration of order and sovereignty.

Recent History

The last 30 years in Haiti have been defined by recurring political crises, starting with the 1994 restoration of Jean-Bertrand Aristide followed by his 2004 ouster. The catastrophic 2010 earthquake caused unprecedented damage, leading to the MINUSTAH mission which faced criticism over a cholera outbreak. The 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse created a power vacuum, allowing gangs to seize control of approximately 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince. In 2024, Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned after gang violence prevented his return to the country, leading to the formation of a Transitional Presidential Council (TPC). Current foreign policy focus is on restoring democratic institutions through the first elections since 2016.

International Memberships

  1. United Nations (UN)since 1945

    Founding member, core of diplomatic engagement.

  2. Organization of American States (OAS)since 1948

    Regional integration body; Haiti is currently suspended from some decision-making due to political instability.

  3. Caribbean Community (CARICOM)since 2002

    Full member, focusing on regional trade and common market goals.

  4. World Bank Group / IMFsince 1953

    Haiti receives significant development lending and technical assistance.

MUN Negotiation Profile

Bloc Alignment

CARICOM / G77 / Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

Negotiation Style

Urgent, pleading for humanitarian and security assistance while remaining sensitive to historical foreign intervention and national sovereignty.

Red Lines
  • Any permanent foreign military occupation without a clear exit strategy.
  • Refoulement of Haitian migrants by neighboring states.
  • Foreign interference in the composition of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC).
Sample Talking Points
  • "Urgent need for the transformation of the MSS mission into a formal UN Peacekeeping Operation (PKO) to ensure sustainable funding."
  • "Calls for debt relief and climate financing for Small Island Developing States."
  • "Requesting international cooperation to halt the illegal flow of firearms from Florida to Haitian gangs."

Useful Links

Sources