Three U.S. warships entered Port-au-Prince Bay, Haiti, on Tuesday amid escalating gang violence and ongoing political instability.
The deployment included the destroyer USS Stockdale and two Coast Guard vessels, USCGS Stone and USCGS Diligence, operating under Operation Southern Spear, according to announcements from the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and the U.S. Embassy in Haiti.
Officials said the naval presence reflects Washington’s “unwavering commitment to security, stability, and a better future for Haiti,” noting the ships were sent under orders from U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth.
Haiti faces renewed political upheaval after five members of its transitional presidential council reportedly sought to remove Prime Minister Alix Fils-Émé just days before the council’s mandate officially ends on 7 February.
The Caribbean nation has endured years of gang-related violence, including murders, sexual assaults, looting, and kidnappings for ransom. In response, the U.S. recently imposed new measures on Haitian officials, including visa restrictions for two transitional council members accused of supporting gangs.
The U.S. ships, particularly the Stockdale, are part of the American Caribbean fleet deployed under counter-narcotics operations.
Separately, U.S. special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on 3 January in New York, with the U.S. intending to prosecute him for allegedly leading a drug cartel—a claim that remains disputed.
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