Rubio meets with Haiti’s prime minister

Secretary Rubio commended the prime minister’s leadership as security forces expand their presence and coordination,” said the Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Tommy Pigott.“The secretary stressed the importance of security improvements to enable the country’s path to elections. Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the administration’s support for a multi-year re-authorisation of HOPE/HELP to support stabilisation efforts,” Pigott added.Apart from Rubio, Fils-Aimé, who is in the North American country until Thursday, also met with Mario Díaz-Balart, the vice chairman of the US House Appropriations Committee.A statement said that the discussions focused on the security situation in Haiti, efforts to restore state authority and the conditions necessary for holding credible, free and inclusive elections.Fils-Aimé stressed that security remains essential for any democratic transition and the holding of general elections, while Díaz-Balart reaffirmed the US Congress’ interest in Haiti’s stability and encouraged continued efforts to restore security and strengthen democratic institutions.In his discussions with Democratic Party leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, a long-time advocate for temporary protected status (TPS) and the rights of immigrant communities, the Haitian leader reaffirmed the importance of TPS for thousands of Haitians living in the United States.The meeting with Schumer has been described as part of a series of diplomatic efforts to advocate for the maintenance and renewal of protections granted to the Haitian diaspora, within a still fragile humanitarian and security context.