AGP Executive Report

World Cup Shockwave: Brazil named Neymar in its 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, ending a near three-year absence and sparking instant celebration in Rio—coach Carlo Ancelotti says Neymar’s fitness has improved and that experience will matter, even as questions linger about his health. Haiti in the Group: Haiti is set to face Brazil in Group C, with the tournament opener for Scotland vs Haiti in Boston also drawing attention as Haiti’s World Cup dream grows closer. Haiti’s Escape Story: Reuters profiles Haiti striker Duckens Nazon’s frantic flight from war-hit Iran after being forced off a plane, as he tries to secure visas and reach the World Cup. Local Diaspora Pulse: Haitian Flag Day coverage keeps spotlighting pride and resilience across the diaspora, from community celebrations to cultural tributes. Transit Prep Abroad: In the U.S., SEPTA announced extra overnight service for Philadelphia’s World Cup matches, signaling how big the event is getting beyond the pitch.

Haitian Flag Day: Haiti marked May 18 with renewed pride in the birth of the blue-and-red flag—born in 1803 when Jean-Jacques Dessalines tore out the white stripe and Catherine Flon stitched the tricolor’s remaining colors together. Elections & Security: Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé launched a nationwide electoral security training push, starting with Port-au-Prince, Petit-Goâve, and Croix-des-Bouquets, aiming for credible, inclusive elections while the state targets gang control and corruption. Roads in the South: Public Works officially kicked off rehabilitation of RD205 linking Les Cayes to Torbeck, with the corridor’s wider upgrade toward Port-Salut already under study, supported by the World Bank. Diaspora & Youth: Swiss Cooperation visited southern projects improving drinking water and reducing flood risk; meanwhile, inline skater Gesny Pierre-Louis won in Quito, and UNDP-backed work highlights a “silent metamorphosis” driven by Haitian youth. Sports build-up: Haiti’s World Cup spotlight keeps growing abroad, with major match logistics and broadcasts rolling out in the U.S.

World Cup Fitness Buzz: Neymar says he’s “physically” feeling great and has endured years of “nonsense” criticism while working back from injury, insisting he’s done his absolute best ahead of Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad call. Match-Day Drama: In Santos’ 3-0 loss to Coritiba, Neymar protested a substitution he says was wrongly handled—an “inexplicable error” that left him booked after trying to get back on the pitch. Haiti Diaspora & Culture: In Niagara Falls, Haiti’s flag was honored with a ceremony and the falls lit in blue and red, while back home Cap-Haïtien reopened its post office after years of inactivity. Local Services & Daily Life: Haiti’s telecom regulator CONATEL also reminded people how electronic signatures work under new rules, and Cap-Haïtien’s food delivery scene keeps growing with TapTap Now. Immigration Pressure: The Bahamas deported 107 Haitians in a new enforcement operation.

Immigration Crackdown: The Bahamas deported 107 Haitians, including 22 women and five minors, after citing overstays and illegal landing offences; the group left Lynden Pindling International Airport on a Bahamasair flight and is expected to be processed in Haiti, with minors handed to child welfare. Security & Aid: Haiti’s wider security push stays in focus as international partners monitor projects and expand support—BRH says it’s tracking 7 research-and-development projects funded through its Research and Development Fund, with work spanning health, agriculture, and turning plastic waste into paving stones. Public Services: Cap-Haïtien’s post office has reopened after years of inactivity, framed as part of restoring state services and trust. Education: National Educators’ Day drew Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and more than 60 honorees, with renewed promises to improve teachers’ working conditions. World Cup Build-Up: Haiti’s squad is set for the 2026 tournament, with coach Sébastien Migné pushing for a Round of 32 run after Haiti’s long absence.

World Cup Shock for Scotland: Tommy Conway has been ruled out of the 2026 finals with an ankle injury, forcing Steve Clarke to reshuffle his attack just as Scotland prepare for Group C. Haiti’s World Cup Focus: Haiti’s coach Sébastien Migné says the team’s roadmap is to chase a first-ever point and push for the Round of 32, with Les Grenadiers opening against Scotland on June 14, then facing Brazil and Morocco. Squad Spotlight: Haiti has unveiled a 26-man roster led by captain Johny Placide, built mostly from diaspora players. Cost of Living Move: Haiti’s government published new 2026 minimum wages across sectors in the official gazette, with increases effective May 6. Jobs and Services: DINEPA launched a 2026 internship program for 120 young graduates to strengthen drinking water and sanitation services. Regional Pressure on Migration: The Bahamas deported 107 Haitians amid an immigration crackdown, sending them to Haiti via CARICOM processing.

CARICOM Diplomacy: CARICOM says it’s diversifying external ties for a “historic deepening” with the African Union and more African partners, while keeping Haiti’s security and humanitarian crisis at the center of its international engagement. Immigration Crackdown: The Bahamas deported 107 Haitians to Haiti via CARICOM, citing overstays and illegal landing offenses, including 22 women and five minors. World Cup Focus: Haiti’s coach Sebastien Migne named a 26-man squad and is pushing for a first-ever point and a shot at the Round of 32 as Les Grenadiers open against Scotland in June. Haiti Economy & Services: Haiti published new 2026 minimum wages across sectors, and DINEPA launched a 120-intern program to strengthen drinking water and sanitation jobs. Infrastructure: The Public Works ministry met the World Bank on road upgrades under the Resilient Corridors project.

World Cup Focus: Haiti named its 26-man squad for the 2026 finals, led by captain Johny Placide and striker Duckens Nazon, with coach Sebastien Migne saying the roadmap is to reach the Round of 32 after a first-ever World Cup point. Haiti’s group run starts June 13 vs Scotland, then Brazil and Morocco. Diaspora & Deportations: The Bahamas deported 107 Haitians, including women and minors, after enforcement actions tied to immigration violations. Security & Humanitarian Pressure: Haiti’s violence remains a backdrop as the UN and aid groups report worsening conditions, including children killed and medical services disrupted amid gang clashes. Jobs & Social Dialogue: Haiti and the ILO signed a two-year country programme to push decent work and stronger labor governance. Regional Development: Caribbean states moved closer to accessing the US$250M loss-and-damage climate finance fund after a training workshop. Sports Elsewhere: Brazil extended Carlo Ancelotti’s contract to 2030 as World Cup preparations intensify.

Haiti Security: The UN says at least 78 people were killed and 66 injured in gang clashes since Saturday, with 5,300 displaced and hospitals struggling to operate as gunfire blocks access. Humanitarian Strain: IOM reports more than 5,000 more displaced after fresh violence north of Port-au-Prince, including looting and attacks on schools and shops, while MSF evacuates facilities. Local Response: Haiti’s government is also pushing a 2026 World Cup mobilization—tourism, culture, and diaspora support—aiming to showcase a different image of the country. World Cup Build-Up: Haiti’s World Cup roster is taking shape, including MLS-linked players like FC Dallas’ Don Deedson Louicius. Business & Jobs: The Ministry of Trade and Industry launched a PAPEJ business plan competition for young entrepreneurs, with financing plus technical support. Food Security: A US$23.6M IFAD-backed project (EFOSE) is set to boost nutritious local production in Haiti’s Southeast. Culture & Community: Carnival energy continues in Little Haiti, with dramatic parade photos on view.

Haiti Violence: The UN says gang clashes in Port-au-Prince suburbs have killed at least 78 people since Saturday, with hospitals and Doctors Without Borders forced to suspend and evacuate as families flee and thousands are displaced. Humanitarian Pressure: The UN also reports the violence is worsening fast, with armed attacks disrupting care and leaving people trapped in neighborhoods. US Detention Fallout: A Haitian man who died in ICE custody in Arizona was found to have died from complications of a severe untreated tooth infection—raising fresh outrage over access to medical care while detained. Regional Politics: In the Dominican Republic, opposition leaders are criticizing a US deal to accept third-country deportees, calling it a sovereignty risk. World Cup Spotlight: Brazil’s coach Carlo Ancelotti has renewed his contract through the 2030 World Cup, as Haiti’s World Cup preparations and international friendlies ramp up.

Haiti Security: Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé visited the Gang Suppression Force base in Tabarre, pushing for “concrete results” as new units are set to reinforce coordinated action by the PNH and FAd’H. Cité Soleil Crisis: A rights leader says gang fighting in northern Cité Soleil left more than 80 dead and about 100 wounded, with thousands fleeing. Police Training: Haitian police are running tactical firearms and drone training in Jacmel as part of intensified operations. Humanitarian & Health: MSF suspended services after intense gang fighting forced evacuations from a capital hospital. Diaspora & Culture: Miami’s Little Haiti is gearing up for Haitian Flag Day with “Unity Fest” and “Sak Pasé in Little Haiti,” spotlighting music, food, and art. World News That Touches Haiti: The U.S. is waiving up to $15,000 visa bonds for some World Cup fans, while HRW warns recent U.S. foreign aid cuts damaged global human rights work.

US World Cup Travel: The Trump administration is easing its controversial visa “bond” rule for World Cup fans—ticket holders from five qualified countries (Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Tunisia) can enter without paying up to $15,000, as long as they register through the FIFA Pass system. Haiti Security & Humanitarian Crisis: Violence in Port-au-Prince is still spiraling—UN figures for Q1 2026 put deaths at 1,642 and injuries at 745, while OCHA reports a sharp jump in rape and other gender-based violence, with services badly underfunded. Local Governance & Oversight: Haiti’s environment ministry is asking the PNH and FAd’H to help crack down on quarrying that’s destabilizing slopes and risking landslides. Health & Social Signals: Nippes is receiving 150+ new health appointments, and Haiti marked International Nurses Day with renewed focus on staffing and care. Sports Pride: Haitian star Melchie “Corventina” Dumornay won France’s UNFP best player award.

World Cup Travel Loosening: The Trump administration says it’s suspending a rule that could force fans from five World Cup-qualified countries to post visa bonds of up to $15,000—Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia—if they hold confirmed tickets and opt into FIFA Pass for faster visa appointments. Haiti Security & Displacement: In Port-au-Prince, residents of Cite Soleil protested after fresh gang clashes displaced hundreds and disrupted medical care; Doctors Without Borders evacuated its Cite Soleil hospital and another facility suspended operations. Deportations Pressure: A Haitian support group reports more than 68,000 Haitians repatriated in early 2026, warning that insecurity and poverty are making reintegration harder and fueling more migration. Culture on the Move: Haitian artist Edouard Duval-Carrié was selected to represent Haiti at the 2026 Venice Biennale. Football Build-Up: Morocco confirmed three warm-up matches ahead of World Cup Group C, where they’ll face Brazil, Scotland—and Haiti—starting June 13.

Cite Soleil Under Pressure: Residents in Port-au-Prince’s Cite Soleil protested Tuesday, demanding protection after weekend gang clashes forced hundreds to flee and left families searching for missing relatives; authorities have not confirmed casualties, but witnesses described killings and shootings, with burned cars and dead livestock seen in the area. Worsening Security: The unrest adds to a broader pattern of gangs controlling most of the capital and expanding into looting, kidnapping, and sexual violence. Gender-Based Violence Alarm: The UN reports nearly 2,000 gender-based violence incidents in Haiti’s first quarter of 2026, with rape making up over 70% of cases, while survivor support remains badly underfunded. Elections on Hold: Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé says August elections are effectively impossible under current security conditions, aiming instead for a vote later this year. Road Funding Watch: Haiti has allocated about $2.9M for the long-delayed Jean-Rabel to Port-de-Paix road, but locals question whether it’s enough.

Haiti Security Crisis: MSF says hospitals in Cité Soleil have been evacuated and it has suspended services after intense gang fighting near Port-au-Prince’s airport, with a security guard wounded by a stray bullet and newborns moved out of Fontaine Hospital’s ICU; MSF reports taking in more than 800 people seeking refuge, but says no hospitals are open in the fighting zone. Displacement Pressure: The same violence has driven hundreds more to flee their homes across the capital, adding to a week of escalating clashes and medical shutdowns. World Cup Build-Up: Brazil’s Chelsea forward Estevao is set to miss the 2026 World Cup with a thigh injury, while Neymar is included in an expanded squad; the tournament is now just a month away, with Group C featuring Haiti alongside Morocco and Scotland.

Haiti Capital Under Fire: A fresh wave of gang fighting in Port-au-Prince has sent hundreds fleeing, with families sleeping along the road to the main airport after homes were burned. Hospitals Forced to Shut: Doctors Without Borders (MSF) evacuated its Cité Soleil hospital, treating more than 40 gunshot victims and sheltering about 800 people before suspending care; another hospital evacuated newborns from intensive care as gunfire made it impossible to keep facilities open. Humanitarian Crisis Deepens: The violence is also worsening access to basic services across the city, where gangs control most of the capital. Politics in Limbo: Haiti’s prime minister says security is not stable enough for the August presidential vote, pushing elections further out. Court Update: In the U.S., a Miami jury convicted four men tied to the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

Diplomacy Amid Crisis: Haiti’s Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican and discussed peace, plus Haiti’s humanitarian, migration, and security troubles—while the Holy See stressed the Church’s role on the ground. Street Violence: A new wave of gang fighting in Port-au-Prince forced hundreds to flee, with displaced families spilling along the road to the main airport as operations there are increasingly restricted. Justice in the Moïse Case: In Miami, a federal jury convicted four men tied to the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, including charges tied to a plan to overthrow him and install a successor. Human Development: UNFPA and the EU-backed “Fabricando Sueños” program in Dajabón graduated over 100 teens, aiming to cut teenage pregnancy and early unions. Elections on Hold: Haiti’s PM said August elections can’t happen because security conditions aren’t met, though he hopes for elections by year’s end.