The leader of Haiti’s transitional presidential council, Leslie Voltaire, has issued a stark warning about the devastating effects of recent U.S. policy decisions on his country. Speaking to the Associated Press after a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, Voltaire described the Trump administration’s plans to cut aid, deport Haitian migrants, and block refugees as “catastrophic” for an already struggling nation.

Haiti faces a dire humanitarian crisis, with half of its 11.4 million citizens suffering from hunger and over 1 million people displaced due to gang violence, according to a U.N. report. Voltaire emphasized that the expulsion of an estimated 150,000 Haitians currently protected under the U.S. Temporary Protection System would overwhelm the country’s fragile infrastructure. “The situation will be catastrophic,” he warned, noting that Haiti is also grappling with thousands of forced deportations from the Dominican Republic each week.

The power vacuum left after the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse has enabled gangs to dominate 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, creating widespread lawlessness and escalating violence. More than 5,600 people were killed in 2024 alone, a 20% increase from the previous year. Despite this, Voltaire remains optimistic about Haiti’s ability to hold a constitutional referendum and general elections by November, provided international support strengthens the multinational police force deployed to the country. Current deployments, led by Kenya, Guatemala, and El Salvador, fall short of the 2,500 officers required to stabilize the nation.

During his meeting with Pope Francis, Voltaire sought the Vatican’s support for organizing an international conference of solidarity for Haiti. He recounted how the pope expressed his willingness to help and tasked the Vatican Secretary of State with exploring ways to engage Mexico, Canada, and other nations in supporting Haiti’s recovery efforts.

Haiti’s crisis demands urgent international action. Voltaire’s appeal highlights not just the nation’s immediate need for humanitarian aid but also the long-term importance of addressing the root causes of its instability. As global powers deliberate their response, the question remains: will the world answer Haiti’s call for help, or will the Caribbean nation continue its descent into chaos?