2026-02-09

The United States authorized military financing for Haiti's Forces Armees d'Haiti for the first time since the 1990s marking a historic shift in security cooperation. Congressional authorization came through H.R. 7148 the consolidated appropriations act for fiscal year 2026 signed by President Trump on February 3, 2026. The legislation provides up to 5 million dollars through the Foreign Military Financing Program and Peacekeeping Operations for purchase of defense equipment and services for the Haitian Coast Guard under the Arms Export Control Act plus non-lethal assistance and operational support for FAd'H subject to Congressional consultation. Defense Minister Jean-Michel Moise described the funding as opening the way to a lasting military partnership noting the FAd'H had never before received American military aid. US Embassy defense attaches recently met with Moise to consolidate joint efforts. The funding February 09, 2026 authorization coincides with US Coast Guard warnings that Haitian ports fail to meet International Ship and Port Facility Security Code standards with a 90-day compliance inspection timeline imposed in November 2025 creating potential sanctions on port operations by approximately February-March 2026. The military financing comes amid continued US naval presence under Operation Southern Spear with three warships deployed in the Bay of Port-au-Prince. USS Stockdale an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer plus Coast Guard cutters Stone and Diligence remain on station. Defense One confirmed the vessels arrived under Operation Southern Spear and their images circulated widely on social media February 3 prompting widespread reaction. The US has conducted 37 deadly strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in Caribbean and Eastern Pacific waters since the operation began. International Crisis Group analyst Diego Da Rin assessed the naval presence as providing the latest proof of Washington's willingness to use the threat of force to shape politics in the Western Hemisphere.