The America Strategic Partnership Council released a Haiti stability and transition framework on August 25, 2026. The document highlights the experience of veteran Haitian magistrate Lesly Jules and outlines an institution-first approach to national recovery.

The framework does not constitute a declaration of candidacy by Jules or a campaign announcement. Instead, it presents his professional record and institutional vision for consideration by Haitian authorities should they determine his participation in a national transitional mission serves the country.

Seven Priorities for Stabilization

The framework identifies seven priorities that could guide the opening phase of a Haitian transition:

• National security: Strengthen operational capacity of Haiti's security institutions and their lawful coordination with international partners.
• Restoration of state authority: Reestablish effective government presence in strategic areas and around critical infrastructure.
• Justice and accountability: Strengthen judicial capacity while pursuing perpetrators, organizers and financiers of serious crimes.
• Humanitarian response: Protect displaced populations and restore essential services in areas where security has been reestablished.
• Economic recovery and employment: Encourage businesses to reopen, strengthen domestic production and restore investment.
• National dialogue: Engage Haiti's political, economic, religious and social sectors, as well as young people, women and the Haitian diaspora.
• Return to democratic order: Establish a realistic path toward free, credible and secure elections.

Security and Infrastructure Focus

The security strategy extends beyond confronting armed individuals. Jules argues that Haiti must target networks that finance, arm, supply and facilitate criminal organizations. This approach combines a stronger Haitian National Police with intelligence gathering, border and port controls, efforts against weapons trafficking, financial investigations, criminal prosecution and international cooperation.

Reclaiming territory is only the beginning. Once an area is secured, the Haitian state must return quickly through schools, courts, public administration, infrastructure, essential services and economic opportunity.

The framework places particular emphasis on securing Toussaint Louverture International Airport and its principal access routes. The same approach would extend to ports, national highways, energy facilities, telecommunications infrastructure, hospitals and other strategically important assets.

Economic Recovery Pillars

Jules's framework identifies agriculture, infrastructure, energy, construction, tourism, small and midsize businesses, technology and investment from the Haitian diaspora as potential pillars of renewed economic growth. It calls for simplified administrative procedures, stronger legal protections, greater transparency and measures to combat corruption.

The longer-term objective is to reduce Haiti's dependence on international assistance by strengthening domestic production, attracting investment and creating employment.

Strategic Relationship With the United States

The framework identifies the United States as a major strategic partner for Haiti. Its proposed relationship between Washington and Port-au-Prince would center on shared interests including regional security, combating criminal organizations and weapons trafficking, migration, trade, investment and institutional stability.

Jules's approach emphasizes Haitian sovereignty. The objective of international cooperation should not be permanent dependence but rebuilding Haiti's own capacity to assume greater responsibility for its security, institutions and economy.

For Haitians living in the United States who fear returning because of violence and instability, the framework argues that Haiti must rebuild conditions that allow them to return safely, voluntarily and with dignity.

Background on Lesly Jules

Born in Port-au-Prince on February 4, 1961, Jules entered Haitian public service in 1990 and was admitted to the Saint-Marc Bar in 1996. His professional career has taken him through multiple levels of Haiti's justice system.

Jules served as Government Commissioner at the Court of First Instance in Saint-Marc and later at the Court of First Instance in Cap-Haïtien. Official records document his service within Haiti's magistracy dating back to 2004.

He subsequently served as Deputy Government Commissioner at the Gonaïves Court of Appeal before moving in 2018 to the Court of Appeal in Port-au-Prince. On January 27, 2021, Jules was promoted to Substitut du Commissaire du Gouvernement près la Cour de Cassation de la République, serving within Haiti's highest court.

His professional development has included training in judicial ethics, criminal procedure, anti-corruption, financial crimes, conflict management, negotiation, protection of vulnerable populations and institutional administration. In 1996, Jules completed the Haiti Conflict Resolution Workshop at the University of Florida.