By Dufirstson Julio Neree, Esq.

President Donald J. Trump has finally reasserted himself onto the global stage, engaging in high-profile efforts to mediate conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and even South Asia.

These moves signal a return to a more assertive, deal-oriented diplomacy on behalf of the United States and her interests. However, it looks like his next major test may lie closer to home: restoring stability to the Western Hemisphere, starting with Haiti.

Haiti’s political and humanitarian crisis which escalated under the Biden administration, particularly after the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse has only gotten worse. And there is no relief in sight.

The breakdown of government institutions, rising gang violence, and forced displacement have rendered U.S. policy ineffective, and in many cases, downright counterproductive. Which is why a new, proactive, approach is urgently needed.

President Trump is uniquely positioned to galvanize and implement it.

A Six-Point Immediate Plan for Haiti

First, faith is at the heart of the Haitian culture. The President can invite Pope Leo to both the U.S. and Haiti. This symbolic act, supported by private sponsorships, could act as the catalyst that drives international attention to the country. As well as bring the moral authority of the Catholic Church into alignment with development goals for the region.

Second, President Trump could appoint a task force of Haitian American experts to coordinate U.S. involvement with multilateral institutions and reestablish basic government functions in Haiti.

Third, direct negotiations in Washington with Haiti’s interim leaders could help break political gridlock and pave the way for credible elections.

Fourth, President Trump could impose targeted sanctions on Haitian elites financing the country’s violent gangs, curbing the root sources of lawlessness.

Fifth, he could spearhead a regional agreement, drawing commitments from 29 nations to fully fund the existing UN-backed security mission, ensuring it is capable of restoring order and stemming the illicit flow of firearms.

Finally, he could convene an international summit in the Dominican Republic to launch an infrastructure initiative aimed at rebuilding Haiti’s ports, energy grid, and key public institutions.

A Strategic Shift in U.S. Policy

Beyond these immediate steps President Trump could fundamentally reorient U.S. policy toward Haiti in six additional ways:

Stop the Arms Pipeline: Use U.S. intelligence and customs enforcement to dismantle the weapons trade that fuels gang violence.
End Puppet Politics: Discontinue U.S. support for corrupt Haitian leaders who undermine sovereignty for short-term geopolitical gain.
Reform Trade Policies: Repeal agricultural dumping practices—such as subsidized U.S. rice exports—that have devastated Haiti’s domestic economy.
Defund Ineffective NGOs: Curb reliance on foreign aid intermediaries and shift investment toward Haitian-run institutions with measurable outcomes.
Tie Aid to Accountability: Make assistance conditional on clear benchmarks: disarmament, judicial reform, and democratic progress.
Address Root Causes of Migration: Enhance economic conditions in Haiti to reduce the need for emigration, aligning border security with regional development.

The Republican platform under President Trump has emphasized sovereignty, self-reliance, and results-driven governance. Applying these principles abroad, particularly in Haiti, could serve as a model for a more coherent Western Hemisphere strategy—one that moves beyond crisis management and toward sustainable development.

With focused leadership, President Trump has an opportunity not only to reverse years of policy failure in Haiti, but also to demonstrate that American strength, when paired with clarity and purpose, can restore stability in our own neighborhood.

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Dufirstson Julio Neree, Esq., is an economist and attorney-at-law. He is a member of The

Florida Bar where he serves on the Executive Council of the Public Interest Law Section and

co-chairs the Working Group on Civic Rights and Immigration Law. He was the Republican

Nominee for Florida’s 24th Congressional District in 2014.