Haiti Faces a Leadership Vacuum as Presidential Council's Term Ends

The tenure of the nine-member transitional presidential council that has been running Haiti expires on Saturday, and it is unclear what will come next. Haiti has been without an elected president for nearly five years; its last national elections were in 2016 and President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in 2021.

Many Haitians, like street vendor Telicia Louis, say their single wish is for "a strong government — we need nothing else." The council, formed after Ariel Henry ruled for nearly three years and then saw his government toppled by a gang coalition in early 2024, was supposed to organize elections and restore stability.

Instead it has been hampered by accusations of corruption and political feuds. Four members tried to fire Prime Minister Alix Fils‑Aimé; the Trump administration revoked their visas and said it would target "corrupt actors" seeking to interfere in Haiti’s path to elected governance, while council members cast the move as outside interference.

Haiti