Haiti Redefines Structure and Mandate of Foreign Affairs Ministry

Haiti's government has issued a decree redefining the organization and functioning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs (MAEC), according to Le Nouvelliste. The measure was published in the official gazette Le Moniteur on August 31, 2026. According to the newspaper, the decree specifies that the ministry's responsibilities are not limited to diplomatic relations. It assigns to the MAEC the implementation of the country's foreign policy, the development of relations with other states and international institutions, and the defense of Haiti's interests and those of its nationals abroad. The text also charges the ministry with coordinating the actions of the state in matters of international relations. In addition, the MAEC is tasked with managing agreements with churches and religious organizations, reflecting its dual mandate over both foreign affairs and religious matters. Le Nouvelliste reported the development alongside recent ministry activities, including the reception of a CARICOM delegation, efforts toward closer cooperation between Haiti and Italy, and a special migration mission dispatched to Chile. The full scope of the reorganization was detailed in the published decree.