Caribbean & Central America - August 2026

Despite Haiti’s deep political and security crisis, a coalition of different groups is arguing that new investment may be the way forward.

It was an unlikely event. On 29 June a group of Haitian government ministers, together with foreign diplomats, bankers, and business leaders gathered at the Palm Residence Hotel in Pétion-Ville, one of the areas of relative safety in the still largely gang-controlled capital. This was to mark the launch of Global Gateway, the European Union (EU)’s investment strategy, which aims to mobilise over €340m (US$387m) for Haiti by the end of 2027. It was arguably the first event of its kind since an international investors get-together in 2009, during the presidency of René Préval (1996-2001, 2006-2011).

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé said his interim government intends to overcome security and economic challenges to create an environment conducive to investment, especially in infrastructure, ports, airports and logistics, agriculture and agribusiness. He said “The time has come to invest in Haiti’s resilience. The time has come to invest in its youth…[and] in its productive capacity.” Public works minister Joseph Almath Pierre Louis added that “Waiting for perfect conditions cannot constitute a development strategy”.

Earlier the new approach was outlined in an interview with the Miami Herald by the EU ambassador to Haiti, Hélène Roos, which was published on 26 June. She said the EU was moving away from the old model of offering direct budget support to government departments. In its place it was offering support for public and private investment partnerships in areas such as climate resilience, infrastructure, seaports, and renewable energy. EU support is intended to attract additional loans from multilateral banks and private sources to leverage maximum benefits. She added “we shouldn’t wait. We should start now to put people in contact.”

There are of course enormous obstacles to an investment-led recovery, primarily the continuing proliferation of gang violence across the country. Some recent positive developments remain small by comparison with the scale of the challenge. The government says it is aiming to hold elections this year with a new administration due to take office in 2027 – a necessary but not sufficient condition for pacification.

• Violence

On 15 June the United Nations high commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk, said gang violence in Haiti had resulted in at least 2,300 deaths, 1,100 injuries, and 99 kidnappings since the start of the year alone.

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has said it will support the renewal of the mandate for the 5,500 strong Gang Suppression Force (GSF), which was authorised by the United Nations Security Council last year. The GSF has regained control of some strategic roads and neighbourhoods in the capital. New judicial units are investigating mass crimes, including sexual crimes and corruption.

Among those touting the contribution that investment can make to stabilise Haiti some are pitching tourism projects. Garry Muzeau, of travel agency toursinhaiti.com, says the development of south coast resorts could generate a major surge in revenues but will first require big infrastructure spending. Of concern, however, is that another existing resort on the northern coast at Labadee is to remain closed until June next year because its owner, US-headquartered cruise company Royal Caribbean, is concerned over the security risks. The US State Department continues to classify Haiti as a “Level 4 – do not travel” destination. While new investment can help play a positive role in Haiti’s recovery, the political risks remain a serious disincentive.