Security & Strategic Review - September 2026

From 16-19 August, Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Albert Ramdin and Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretary General Carla Barnett led a high-level delegation to Haiti to discuss, inter alia, improving security and preparations for Haiti’s first general elections since 2016, which are due to be held on 13 December. Just days after the conclusion of the visit, in a reminder of how far Haiti is from establishing a secure environment for elections, at least 47 people were killed in a gang attack on Kenscoff in the hills above the capital Port-au-Prince. Nevertheless, despite the stark security environment, openly expressed concerns over the electoral timetable, and uncertain political outlook, it is possible that the recent refocusing of economic development away from Port-au-Prince, as exemplified by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)’s Medium-Term Recovery and Development Plan for 2025-2030, holds more promise than is yet being recognised.