The United States Department of State has announced Henry Wooster as the United States Chargé d’Affaires in Haiti. Haiti had been witnessing fatal gang violence, leading to civilian casualties and displacement.
The press release received by this outlet reveals that Wooster’s tenure will commence on June 12, 2025, as he leads the US government policy in Haiti and supports security forces against the unruly gang.
“Ambassador Wooster has been charged with leading a whole-of-government approach to U.S. policy on Haiti. He will work with our partners across the globe, who are providing critical support to Haitian security forces,” the statement partly reads.
Wooster replaces Ambassador Dennis Hankins, who is now retiring from active duty. The State Department describes Wooster as having served earlier at Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. He was also the Ambassador to Jordan and a long-serving officer in the US Army.
Gang violence
On April 21, 2025, the UN Security Council received a report that the gang might capture the capital, Port-au-Prince, in Haiti, as it fights to undermine government authority.
The UN Special Representative of the Secretary General for Haiti and the Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) reported gangs breaking prisons for the fifth time in less than a year, leading to the release of over 500 prisoners in Mirebalais.
At least 1,086 deaths, 383 injuries and over 60,000 displaced civilians were reported in February and March 2025, in addition to the 1 million deaths in December 2024, according to the UN.
In January 2025, Kenya deployed 217 police forces to stop gang violence and restore law and order in Haiti. Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto disclosed that his country would send up to 2,500 troops to support the UN Mission in Haiti.
