Khaberni - American military officials announced on Tuesday the arrival of American warships off the coast of Haiti, amid the clinging to power by the presidential council that governs the country and the escalating violence caused by drug gangs.
The American warships "USS Stockdale," "USCGC Stone," and "USCGC Diligence" entered the Bay of Port-au-Prince, "reflecting the United States' firm commitment to Haiti's security, stability, and bright future," according to what was published by the U.S. Embassy in Haiti on platform X.
The embassy statement added that the fleet was sent "by direction of the Secretary of War" Pete Higseth as part of "Operation Southern Spear," targeting drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific regions, which has so far resulted in more than 100 people being killed in airstrikes on boats suspected of transporting drugs.
Tensions escalated in Haiti prior to the end of the term of the nine-member transitional presidential council on February 7.
Despite the council's agreement to step down, some members continue to engage in transitional governance projects, ignoring American officials’ warnings that their term ends on Saturday.
Gang violence forced the former Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign in 2024, and the country has not held elections since 2016, leading to a collapse of government authority and exacerbating security, health, and economic crises.
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with vast areas under the control of competing armed gangs that commit murder and rape crimes without hesitation.
The United States recently announced new visa restrictions targeting senior Haitian officials accused of supporting gangs.
