AGP Executive Report

Haiti World Cup Return, Port-au-Prince Watch Parties: With Haiti set to face Scotland in Boston after 52 years away, residents in Port-au-Prince are cleaning streets and building makeshift seating for communal viewing, hoping for a rare moment of celebration amid gang violence and chronic electricity shortages. FIFA Jersey Clash: FIFA forced Haiti to alter its official kit days before kickoff, citing a political image tied to the Battle of Vertières; Haiti’s team and fans are treating the change as a political decision, not just a sports one. Youth & Sports Policy: Haiti’s Minister of Youth, Sports, and Civic Action announced a pilot vocational training program for 5,000 young people (6 months, trade skills, then grants to start small businesses) and “Vision Sport 2036,” recruiting 50 young soccer players for training scholarships in Brazil. Education Accreditation Push: Haiti’s education ministry convened 600+ Protestant education leaders to speed up recognition and accreditation of private schools and training centers, aiming to raise standards and improve cooperation with authorities and partners. Immigration Shock in the U.S.: A Haitian woman released from ICE custody in Pittsburgh had her death ruled a homicide by a medical examiner, intensifying scrutiny of federal detention and release practices.

Haiti World Cup Push: Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé traveled to the United States to back Haiti’s Grenadiers ahead of the Haiti–Scotland opener at Gillette Stadium, urging the public and the diaspora to rally behind the team as a moment of unity and national pride. FIFA Jersey Clash: Haiti was forced to change its World Cup kit after FIFA objected to a Battle of Vertières-inspired design tied to Haiti’s independence struggle, with the change coming just days before kick-off. Haiti’s Tournament Setbacks: FIFA’s kit ban landed alongside an injury blow for midfielder Leverton Pierre, adding pressure on Haiti’s preparations for their first World Cup appearance in 52 years. Local Governance & Planning: Haiti’s Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation and Ministry of Economy and Finance launched work on the 2026–2027 state budget, setting the stage for how public investments will be prioritized amid security and economic strain. Diaspora & Community Watch Parties: Cities in the U.S. are organizing Haiti-focused watch events, including Brockton’s planned Haiti vs. Morocco screening, reflecting how Haitian communities are turning the tournament into a political and cultural gathering.

Haiti World Cup Jerseys Clash With FIFA: Haiti’s World Cup kits were forced into last-minute changes after FIFA flagged the Battle of Vertières imagery as “political,” with manufacturer Saeta saying it modified the designs to comply. Group C Spotlight: Haiti’s opener vs Scotland in Foxborough now comes with the redesigned shirts, as the squad’s diaspora makeup keeps the team’s identity at the center of the story. Boston Arrival, Haitian Pride: Haitian and Scottish fans poured into Massachusetts with drums, flags, and chants, turning the pre-match build-up into a visible political-cultural moment. Regional Visa Pressure: Separately, the U.S. denied a visa renewal to the newly elected CHTA president, Gregor Nassief, reigniting debate over how tighter U.S. entry rules affect Caribbean institutions and travel. World Cup Politics Backdrop: Coverage across the tournament highlights how visas, ticket costs, and geopolitical tensions are shaping who can attend and how fans experience the games.

World Cup Politics at the Jersey Level: FIFA has ordered Haiti to remove/alter the Battle of Vertières imagery from the Grenadiers’ 2026 World Cup kits, citing “too political” symbolism under its equipment rules; Colombian manufacturer Saeta says it complied after FIFA flagged elements that could be interpreted as political messaging, leaving Haiti to redesign just days before the Scotland opener in Boston. U.S. Border Pressure on Haiti-Linked Travel: The U.S. Coast Guard says ships departing Haiti will face tightened entry requirements starting June 22, with noncompliance risking denial of entry into U.S. waters—another sign of how security and immigration rules are shaping the tournament’s real-world access. Local Governance & Jobs Support: Haiti’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) via PIDE distributed equipment to nine beneficiary MSMEs in Delmas, with officials stressing entrepreneurship as a driver of growth and jobs. Culture & Soft Power: Haiti was honored in Paris at the 3rd Mondial du Rhum, with the ambassador highlighting Haitian rum and clairin producers and resilience amid ongoing challenges. Security Snapshot (Port-au-Prince): “Zapping Haiti” reports at least 10 kidnappings in Delmas over four days, underscoring the pressure on public safety as Haiti’s World Cup moment arrives.

Haiti World Cup Kit Clash: Haiti was forced to change its World Cup 2026 shirt days before the opener against Scotland after FIFA rejected a design featuring a war scene tied to the Battle of Vertières, with the kit maker saying it made “requested modifications” to comply with FIFA rules. U.S. Immigration Pressure at the Tournament: As the World Cup kicks off, critics say Trump-era travel bans and visa denials are turning the event into a test of U.S. border policy, including the high-profile case of Somali referee Omar Artan being denied entry. ICE Concerns in Miami: Activists urged FIFA and the Miami Host Committee to keep immigration enforcement away from venues, warning families could be separated during matches. Maritime Security for Haiti Routes: The U.S. Coast Guard says boats arriving from Haitian ports will face enhanced security requirements or risk denial of entry into U.S. waters. UN and Haiti Displacement: The UN’s messaging continues under pressure as displacement and electoral challenges remain central to Haiti’s political crisis. Local Governance & Safety Prep: Massachusetts is rolling out crowd-management and emergency-alert guidance for World Cup matches, including Haiti vs. Scotland in Foxborough.

Public University of the West Launch: Haiti’s Ministry of National Education created a 7-member ad hoc committee to plan and execute the official launch of the Public University of the West (UPO), integrating the CFEF, ENGA and ENST. Tax Administration Modernization: The DGI marked 102 years since its 1924 creation, with Prime Minister Alix Fils-Aimé and Finance Minister Serge Gabriel Collin highlighting digital transformation, improved tax tele-services, and support from partners including the EU, IMF and World Bank. Hurricane Season Preparedness: Government ministries rolled out pre–hurricane season plans, including a national campaign to clean gullies and rivers in key cities and ongoing drainage works across departments. Security and Displacement Updates: In Kenscoff, armed attackers killed two brothers and injured others; in Hinche, 300 displaced families were rehoused and children returned to classrooms after more than a year. World Cup Watch in Haiti’s Diaspora: Haiti’s World Cup opener vs Scotland is set for June 13, with Haiti’s squad reflecting a mix of players born in Haiti and across the diaspora. Regional Governance Note: The Dominican Republic announced a “Strong Border” strategy, adding troops and expanding the smart perimeter fence along the Haiti border.

Haiti Energy Policy: Prime Minister Alix Fils-Aimé announced Haiti will remove taxes on solar panels and batteries, aiming to cut costs for households and institutions and reduce reliance on traditional energy, while the planning ministry flags ongoing environmental pressures like deforestation, river pollution, and climate disasters. U.S. Citizenship Denaturalization: The U.S. Justice Department is seeking to strip citizenship from 17 naturalized Americans tied to serious crimes, including fraud and sex offenses, with court actions naming Caribbean nationals including Haiti. Haiti in the World Cup Spotlight: As Scotland prepares to open against Haiti, Haiti-linked community watch events are planned in the U.S., including Spring Valley’s public screening featuring Haiti vs. Scotland, with local Haitian leaders emphasizing unity through sport. Humanitarian Funding: The U.S. State Department announced $240M+ for Catholic Relief Services for disaster and humanitarian response, including Haiti, as CRS expands food, health, shelter, and water support through local partners. Border Security (DR-Haiti): Dominican President Luis Abinader unveiled a border strategy to strengthen security and development along the 391-kilometer Haiti border, including fence expansion and a binational market.

Armed Forces Recruitment: Haiti’s Defense Minister Mario Andrésol says the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H) recruitment drive is drawing strong youth participation across all 10 departments, with the campaign running June 8–12 under Prime Minister Fils-Aimé’s instructions. UN Security & Elections: UN Secretary-General António Guterres is set to visit Haiti on Tuesday, June 16, to assess humanitarian and security conditions amid record displacement and to meet Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé on stability and the country’s democratic transition ahead of elections expected before year-end. Port-au-Prince Violence: “Zapping Haiti” reports kamikaze drone attacks in downtown Port-au-Prince neighborhoods, while a police-and-GSF operation in Cité Soleil’s Wharf Jérémie area led to gunfire and three serious injuries, including a gang leader linked to kidnapping and armed robbery. Justice System Move: Former PNH Director General Léon Charles has been summoned to appear in criminal court Tuesday, June 9, in the investigation tied to the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. World Cup Diaspora Spotlight: Haiti’s men’s team is set for its first World Cup in 52 years, and coverage highlights how the run is energizing Haitian communities abroad, including in South Florida.

UN Security & Elections: UN Secretary-General António Guterres is set to visit Haiti next Tuesday to assess gang violence, humanitarian needs, and the rollout of the UN-authorized Gang Suppression Force, as displacement nears record levels and long-delayed elections remain mired in political conflict. Haiti in the Spotlight Abroad: Caribbean Olympic bodies, including CANOC, are backing Haiti and Curaçao ahead of the 2026 World Cup, pushing back against a narrow “gangs and instability” media narrative. Local Political Life (Diaspora): Haitian communities in U.S. cities are organizing Team Haiti watch parties—like Lynn’s June 19 event—aimed at making World Cup access affordable amid high ticket prices. U.S. Citizenship Crackdown: The U.S. DOJ filed civil denaturalization actions against 17 naturalized Americans, including people linked to Haiti among other countries, escalating Trump-era citizenship revocation efforts. Immigration Friction at the World Cup: Visa and entry problems are also hitting World Cup participants and fans, with Somali referee Omar Artan denied entry to the U.S. and New England groups warning of heightened enforcement and device/social media checks.

Haiti at the World Cup: Haiti’s government urged national unity as the Grenadiers prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, framing qualification as more than sport and calling for cohesion behind the team. Defense & military readiness: Haiti’s Minister of Defense Mario Andrésol visited the Armed Forces Engineering Corps to assess structures, collect soldiers’ concerns, and identify modernization needs. Urban security planning: A “Territories Thursday” forum in Haiti linked land-use planning to urban security, warning that poorly planned growth helps criminal networks expand and weakens territorial governance. Security incident: “Zapping Haiti” reports a policewoman and her child were kidnapped by armed individuals in early June, with no ransom demand received and no official PNH update shared. Economic backdrop: ECLAC projects slower Latin America growth in 2026, citing Cuba and Haiti as key drivers of the decline. World Cup spotlight (diaspora angle): Haiti is also referenced in coverage of the Scotland vs. Haiti opener in the U.S., underscoring how the tournament is pulling Haitian national identity into international attention.

Haiti in the World Cup spotlight: Haiti’s return to the 2026 FIFA World Cup after 1974 is being framed as a political and national resilience story, with coverage highlighting the Grenadiers’ exile-away qualifying run and coach Sébastien Migné’s transition-based style. Government & policy: Haiti’s Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announced elimination of taxes on batteries and solar panels, tying the move to World Environment Day and “green jobs” priorities. Digital governance in education: The Ministry of National Education adopted a decree creating a National Commission for the Digital Transformation of the Education System to plan and coordinate sector digitization. Humanitarian & development: Meds and Food for Kids (MFK), a Haiti-based non-profit, presented its work against malnutrition in the North and Northeast, including production of therapeutic peanut-based foods and support for peanut producers. Rule of law & local administration: A Zapping Haiti update reports an inspection halting a gas station construction in Ouanaminthe for failing legal and administrative requirements. Culture & national identity: The Livres en Folie book fair in Pétion-Ville honored poet René Depestre, drawing hundreds and featuring 114 Haitian authors and 1,100+ titles.

Prime Minister’s Tax Cuts: Haiti’s PM Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announced the elimination of taxes on batteries and solar panels, framed as part of World Environment Day efforts to push a greener, “green jobs” agenda. Education Digital Push: The Ministry of National Education adopted a decree creating a National Commission for the Digital Transformation of the Education System, aiming to modernize teaching, improve school governance, and expand access to digital learning resources. Anti-Malnutrition Work in the North: Meds and Food for Kids (MFK), a Haiti-based non-profit, outlined its therapeutic food production for vulnerable communities in the North and Northeast, including support for local peanut producers and output of hundreds of tons of nutrition products. Local Governance & Justice: “Zapping Haiti” reports an inspection halted a gas station construction in Ouanaminthe for failing legal and safety requirements, and notes Michel Martelly was summoned by a judge in the Jovenel Moïse assassination investigation. Security Update: The same roundup says two dangerous murder suspects were killed during a police operation targeting a gang base near Limonade. Governance Watch: Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index again places Haiti at the bottom of the Caribbean table, reinforcing concerns about public-sector corruption and trust.

Haiti Security & State Presence: Haiti’s Armed Forces (FAd’H) continue consolidation in Port-au-Prince. Defense Minister Mario Andrésol inspected sites recently cleared of terrorists and now secured along Avenue Christophe, including Unitech, the Faculty of Humanities, the Institute of African Studies, and INAGHEI—while commending troop discipline and efforts to restore state authority. Haiti Humanitarian Pressure: Haiti’s displacement crisis worsened again: IOM reports nearly 1.5 million people displaced, with women and girls making up more than half, and fresh waves of flight after renewed violence in Cité Soleil in May. Haiti Environment & Civic Action: On World Environment Day (June 5), Haiti’s Ministry of the Environment highlighted school-based awareness, beach cleanups, mangrove education, and tree-planting across multiple departments, including Port-de-Paix and Cap-Haïtien. Haiti Football & National Symbolism: Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé launched a commemorative postage stamp marking Haiti’s Grenadiers qualification for the 2026 World Cup, framing it as unity and hope for the nation. US Immigration Court Fight (Impact on Haiti): A US federal judge struck down Trump-era immigration restrictions affecting asylum and benefits for nationals from 39 countries, while Haiti was listed among those facing total restrictions—keeping entry uncertainty a live political issue for Haitian migrants and families. World Cup Logistics Touching Haiti: Visa and entry disputes around the World Cup continue, with Iran’s team visas cleared after initial doubts, underscoring how travel rules can reshape participation and coverage.

Haiti Justice Push: Amnesty International welcomed Haiti’s announcement of specialized judicial units to tackle organized financial crimes, illegal arms, sexual violence, and trafficking, urging authorities to prioritize justice for child victims amid gang violence and impunity. Humanitarian Crisis at Sea: U.S. Coast Guard and CBP intercepted an overcrowded vessel carrying 240 Haitian migrants near the Turks and Caicos, warning the journey was dangerously hazardous as Haiti’s displacement nears 1.5 million people. World Cup, Immigration Pressure: Human Rights Watch warned Scotland’s June 13 match vs Haiti in Boston is a “legitimate risk” for ICE targeting, as Trump-era immigration actions and TPS uncertainty loom over Haitian communities in the U.S. U.S. Court Win for Migrants: A federal judge in Rhode Island struck down Trump-era USCIS policies that froze asylum, work permits, green cards, and citizenship decisions for people from 39 countries, calling the move unlawful and leaving applicants in “indeterminate legal limbo.” Aviation Link: Sunrise Airways opened reservations for a new daily Cap-Haïtien–Santo Domingo route, with evening departures from Cap-Haïtien and morning returns. Sports Symbolism: Haiti’s Postal Service launched a commemorative stamp celebrating the Grenadiers’ 2026 World Cup qualification.

Electoral Crisis: Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) chief Jacques Desrosiers rejected any “confrontation” with the Prime Minister’s Office over a draft electoral decree amended by the executive, saying the dispute is about interpretation and asking for dialogue after the CEP dismissed Executive Director Uder Antoine. Labor & Governance: Social Affairs and Labor Minister Marc-Elie Nelson told the ILO in Geneva that Haiti needs stronger ILO support, including a permanent presence, to modernize labor rules, deepen social dialogue, and improve decent work and minimum-wage protections. Security & Displacement: The UN warned that Haiti’s displacement crisis is worsening, with renewed gang attacks in Cité Soleil displacing over 18,000 people in May and pushing Port-au-Prince’s internally displaced total above 300,000. Local Waste Management: Fort-Liberté residents demanded action after a donor-funded landfill remains closed because a missing weighbridge keeps it offline, forcing garbage dumping near the site. Regional Spillover: U.S. authorities intercepted 240 Haitian migrants on an overcrowded vessel near the Turks and Caicos, citing dangerous sea conditions and transferring them to local border custody. US Courts/Immigration: A federal judge struck down Trump-era USCIS policies that paused asylum, work permits, green cards, and citizenship decisions for people from 39 countries, calling the delays unlawful.

Immigration & Security: U.S. and regional authorities intercepted a Haitian-linked maritime attempt near the Turks and Caicos, rescuing 240 people from an overcrowded boat taking on water; the incident underscores the deadly risks of illegal sea routes. Justice & Guns: A Haitian-American woman in Jacksonville pleaded guilty in federal court to smuggling firearms and contraband to Haiti, with prosecutors citing a major weapons seizure tied to a shipping container route from Miami. Diaspora & Community: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced free World Cup community watch parties across neighborhoods, signaling how major international events are being used to build local civic space. Haiti’s World Cup Moment: Haiti’s return to the World Cup after 52 years is being met with government-backed support for the Haitian Football Federation, framing the tournament as a national morale boost amid instability. Regional Climate Finance: Canada pledged about US$97 million via the GAIA Climate Loan Fund to support climate adaptation and mitigation in vulnerable Caribbean states, including small island nations.