Haiti's presidential council dissolves after rocky tenure as unelected US-backed ruler remains

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s presidential council stepped down on Saturday after almost two years of tumultuous rule alongside a U.S.-backed prime minister, who is expected to remain in power as the country prepares for the first general elections in a decade.

Days before the nine-member council was dissolved, the U.S. deployed a warship and two U.S. Coast Guard boats to waters near Haiti’s capital, where gangs control 90% of Port-au-Prince.

“The naval presence appears to provide the latest proof of Washington’s willingness to use the threat of force to shape politics in the Western Hemisphere,” said Diego Da Rin, an analyst with the International Crisis Group.

In late January, two of the council’s most influential members announced that a majority had voted to oust Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, defying calls from the U.S. government to uphold the country’s fragile political stability.

Days later, the U.S. government announced visa revocations for four unidentified council members and a Cabinet minister.

The council’s plan to oust Fils-Aimé for reasons not made public appeared to fall to the wayside as it stepped down in an official ceremony on Saturday.

“We need to put our personal interest to the side and continue progress for security,” said the council's outgoing president, Laurent Saint-Cyr, who rejected a push to dismiss the prime minister.

Fils-Aimé spoke briefly, saying he would address the nation later in the day.

“The presidential council has done its work by paving the way for a governance mindful of security and electoral issues,” he said.

On Saturday evening, in a rare move for a Haitian prime minister, Fils-Aimé spoke at the hour announced and promised to establish security, hold elections and develop an emergency humanitarian plan to provide food, care and shelter for the most vulnerable.

“The suffering of the population demands immediate action,” he said, stressing that Haitians must unite.

Fils-Aimé, who was flanked by police and army officials, also pledged to make Haiti a safer place. More than 8,100 killings were reported across the country of nearly 11 million people from January to November last year, according to the United Nations, which warned those figures are underreported.

“The gangs and those who support them will be hunted down, one by one. Every occupied area will be retaken, until the day every child walks to school without fear,” he said.

However, Fils-Aimé acknowledged that Haiti has reached what he called a dangerous crossroads.

"The coming days will be demanding," he said. “I don't promise miracles.”

Da Rin said negotiations are ongoing to decide what, if anything, would replace the council as a new multinational security mission prepares to transform a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police that was understaffed and underfunded.

“Clarity on who will govern Haiti is essential,” Da Rin wrote in a recent essay. “Countries contributing to this force will want to know they are working alongside a government whose legitimacy is undisputed.”

Feb. 7 is a historic date for Haiti that marks the start of democratic rule after a nearly 30-year dictatorship. It’s also when presidents are traditionally sworn in.

But Haiti failed to hold general elections on Saturday as envisioned a couple of years ago, with gang violence gripping much of the capital and swaths of land in the country’s central region. Tentative dates were announced for August and December, but many believe it’s unlikely an election and a runoff will be held this year.

The council was established in April 2024, nearly three years after President Jovenel Moïse was killed at his residence, throwing Haiti into widespread upheaval.

At the time, former Prime Minister Ariel Henry was unable to return to Haiti following an official trip to Kenya because a powerful gang coalition had attacked key state infrastructure over the course of several days, forcing the country’s main international airport to close for nearly three months.

The council was created after Caribbean leaders and U.S. officials urgently met in Jamaica to build a framework for a political transition after Henry resigned.

Council members had long pledged to quell gang violence and improve life for Haiti but fell overwhelmingly short.

“The government has been unable to push back criminal gangs that control most of Port-au-Prince and have expanded into other areas,” Da Rin noted.

The council also was rocked by accusations of corruption, with a government agency accusing three members of bribery in late 2024.

As the council stepped down on Saturday, André Joseph, 42, a street vendor who was selling candy outside their government offices celebrated. He currently lives in a makeshift shelter — one of 1.4 million people displaced by gang violence — and said he wants to return home.

“Their time is up. They were there nearly two years and didn’t do anything for the country,” he said of the council. “Haiti needs to move on with a better government in charge that could lead the country into a better direction.”

Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Presidential Council Chair Laurent Saint-Cyr speaks during a ceremony marking the end of the transitional council's almost two-year rule, in Port-au-Prince, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé speaks during the ceremony marking the end of the presidential council in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

Members of Haiti's presidential council receive bouquets of flowers at a ceremony marking the end of their almost two-year rule, in Port-au-Prince, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

Haiti's Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, front row, left, and his cabinet pose for a group photo with members of the presidential council at a ceremony marking the end of their almost two-year rule, in Port-au-Prince, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

Presidential Council Chair Laurent Saint-Cyr speaks during a ceremony marking the end of the transitional council's almost two-year rule, in Port-au-Prince, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé speaks during the ceremony marking the end of the presidential council in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

Members of Haiti's presidential council receive bouquets of flowers at a ceremony marking the end of their almost two-year rule, in Port-au-Prince, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

Haiti's Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, front row, left, and his cabinet pose for a group photo with members of the presidential council at a ceremony marking the end of their almost two-year rule, in Port-au-Prince, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, center, salutes as he arrives for a ceremony marking the end of the presidential council in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

Terrance Gore, a speedy outfielder who played for three World Series champions while spending parts of eight seasons in the major leagues, has died. He was 34.

Chad Funderburk, a family friend who also worked with Gore through his baseball academy, confirmed Gore died Friday night. He deferred to Gore's family in terms of providing any further details.

While Gore was known for his athleticism, Funderburk said he was “a much kinder human.”

“Just a giving, giving man to so many youth. ... That's just who Terrance was,” Funderburk said.

Gore, a Georgia native, was selected by Kansas City in the 20th round of the 2011 amateur draft. He batted .216, scored 33 runs and swiped 43 bags in 52 attempts over 112 regular-season games with the Royals, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.

“Terrance was an unforgettable part of our organization with a unique talent that catapulted him to some of the biggest moments in Royals history,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said in a team statement. “While his speed and athleticism were what most people immediately noticed, those of us who had the opportunity to know him also remember his energy, his humility, and the impact he made in big moments on the game’s biggest stage.”

Gore was mostly used as a pinch runner and defensive replacement. He made his debut with the Royals in 2014 and stole 23 bases before he got his first hit, a single to center for the Cubs against Max Scherzer in the ninth inning of a 10-3 loss at Washington on Sept. 8, 2018.

Gore appeared in two postseason games during Kansas City's championship run in 2015. He played in two regular-season games when the Dodgers won the World Series in 2020. He appeared in one NL playoff game with Atlanta in 2021, and the Braves went on to win the World Series.

“Terrance brought a high level of excitement and anticipation to the game,” former Royals executive Dayton Moore said. "He was unstoppable as a base stealer, and he inspired athletes throughout our country to pursue baseball. He was loved and respected by his very special teammates, who will continue to love his family during this time of sadness.”

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FILE - Kansas City Royals' Terrance Gore holds out a baseball he autographed for a fan prior to a spring training exhibition baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Sunday, March 15, 2015, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

FILE - Kansas City Royals' Terrance Gore bats during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 4, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File(

FILE - Kansas City Royals' Terrance Gore (0) celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a double by Alex Gordon during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)