MIAMI — Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday said he called Haiti’s Prime Minister, Alix Fils-Aimé, to emphasize that he should continue as the country’s prime minister to combat gangs and stabilize the island.

“The current violence caused by gangs can only be stopped with consistent, strong leadership, with the full support of the Haitian people,” Rubio said.

The comments come as Haiti’s transitional presidential council goes through its own set of challenges.

The council, created in 2024, was tasked with restoring order in Haiti, combating gangs expanding in certain regions, and establishing a path for elections.

Meanwhile, Haitian nationals living in South Florida are about to see their Temporary Protected Status paperwork expire on Feb. 3.

Union representatives for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport employees said their members face the possibility of returning to a country they may not recognize.

“There are very many Haitians here who have brought property and homes in Haiti to retire one day and now those homes have been taken over by gangs,” said Helene O’Brien, vice president of 32BJ SEIU.

Rubio said the transitional presidential council must dissolve by Feb. 7 without corrupt actors seeking to interfere in Haiti’s path to elected governance for their own gains.

“The United States will ensure there is a steep cost for corrupt politicians who support vicious gangs and wreak terrorism on Haiti,” he added.

For the first time in decades, Haiti is set to hold general elections later this year.

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