AGP Executive Report

Caribbean Tourism Push: Haiti is among the tourism ministers and commissioners set to gather in New York for Caribbean Week, aiming to boost regional resilience and tourism under the theme “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences.” World Cup Travel Reality Check: Haiti’s World Cup journey is colliding with visa and access issues for fans and players, while official Haiti jerseys are reportedly sold out—so Haitian designers in the U.S. are stepping in to fill the gap. Haitian Pride in Miami: At a North Miami art museum, Haitian players and fans came together in a rainy, flag-waving sendoff ahead of Haiti’s upcoming friendlies—showing how soccer is keeping the diaspora connected. Air Access Boost: Haiti’s new airline, ZED Airlines, was officially inaugurated, with officials calling it a step toward stronger tourism and connectivity. Safety & Security Watch: A report also highlights ongoing gang extortion pressures in parts of Haiti, underscoring why travel planning still needs caution.

World Cup Culture & Travel: Haitian star Wyclef Jean is set to perform at FIFA’s World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Toronto on June 10, adding to the tournament’s big diaspora celebrations across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. Haiti in the Spotlight (Miami): In North Miami, Haitian fans gathered at an art museum to cheer Les Grenadiers ahead of upcoming friendlies, with players and supporters calling the World Cup return a “new Haiti” moment. Aviation & Tourism: Haiti’s new airline, ZED Airlines S.A., was officially inaugurated May 22, with officials pitching it as a boost for tourism, investment, and regional connectivity. Safety & Security (Haiti): The Gang Suppression Force says it will begin operations in early June, while reports also highlight ongoing extortion in Cul-de-Sac Plain. Immigration Shock (U.S.-Haiti): A Trump administration deportation of a Florida TPS holder to Haiti—despite a judge’s order—has sparked fresh outrage and legal fallout.

Aviation & Tourism: Haiti’s new airline ZED Airlines S.A. was officially inaugurated May 22, with officials pitching it as a boost for tourism, investment, and regional connectivity. Travel Connectivity: Haiti and the Dominican Republic will resume commercial passenger and cargo flights May 30 after more than two years, routing through Cabo Haitiano International Airport. World Cup Travel Reality Check: Haiti’s World Cup return is drawing global attention, but U.S. visa delays still threaten plans—defensive midfielder Woodensky Pierre (the only player based in Haiti) and nearly a dozen officials are awaiting visas amid expanded U.S. travel restrictions. Culture & Planning: The Ministry of Culture published its action plan through Sept. 30, 2026, including steps around cultural governance, staffing, and strengthening national media. Soccer on the Move: With Haiti set to face Scotland in Boston June 13, Haiti’s home-soil ban means matches are played far from fans—yet the team’s momentum and unity story is fueling travel interest.

Haiti–U.S. Travel Update for World Cup: Haiti’s only in-country squad member, defensive midfielder Woodensky Pierre (Violette AC, Port-au-Prince), is still awaiting a U.S. visa to join the team in Florida, with Haiti’s federation saying the process is underway as Trump-era travel restrictions disrupt plans. Regional Air Connectivity: Haiti and the Dominican Republic will resume commercial passenger and cargo flights on May 30 via Cabo Haitiano International Airport, aiming to restore travel links after more than two years of suspension tied to Haiti’s security crisis. Haiti in the Spotlight (Sports + Tourism): Stockton University in Philadelphia has installed a new training field and been selected as Haiti’s World Cup base camp, a boost for visiting fans and local tourism around matchweek. World Cup Watch Parties: Worcester, Massachusetts is staging free public FIFA World Cup watch parties on Worcester Common, including Haiti vs. Scotland on June 13. On-the-Ground Fan Logistics: Boston’s MBTA is rolling out multilingual wayfinding and crowd operations for World Cup travel, with match-day disruptions affecting routes to Foxborough (including the June 13 Haiti–Scotland opener). Film Shot in Haiti: Elisee Junior St. Preux’s debut feature “The Tropic Sun and His Eyes,” shot entirely in Cap-Haïtien, will premiere at the 2026 Tribeca Festival on June 5, spotlighting Haiti beyond the pitch.

Haiti–Dominican Republic Air Links: Haiti and the Dominican Republic confirmed they’ll resume commercial passenger and cargo flights on May 30, routing through Cabo Haitiano as both sides try to restore regional connectivity after more than two years of suspension. World Cup Travel Headache for Haiti: Haiti’s only player based in Port-au-Prince, Woodensky Pierre, is still waiting on a U.S. visa to join the squad in Florida, with the Haitian federation saying the process is underway and tied to passport clearance amid expanded travel restrictions. Haiti’s World Cup Base Camp: Stockton University in Galloway, New Jersey, has been selected as Haiti’s World Cup training base, with crews installing new grass to help the team transition smoothly. More Options for Haiti Flyers: Travelers are watching Zed Airlines’ new U.S.–Haiti service (launched May 22) for better reliability and customer service, hoping competition will ease the pain of high fares. Regional Border Security: CARICOM IMPACS meeting in Antigua highlighted boosted border coordination and pre-vetting practices that can affect travelers transiting through the Caribbean. Haiti in the Match Schedule: Brazil’s Group C opener vs Morocco is set, with Haiti facing Brazil in Philadelphia on June 19—good news for fans planning trips around Haiti’s games.

Haiti World Cup Moment: Haiti’s rare World Cup unity story is back in the spotlight as the team prepares for its match-up with Scotland after qualifying in a year marked by violence and the burning of the FIFA Goal Center in Port-au-Prince. Training Base & Travel Reality: Stockton University in Galloway, New Jersey is set as Haiti’s World Cup base camp, with a fresh grass field installed for the squad—while one Haiti-based player, Woodensky Pierre, still awaits a U.S. visa, delaying camp sessions. Fan Travel & Watch Parties: In the U.S., Haiti fans are also feeling the squeeze as World Cup visa demand appears low and immigration enforcement fears loom; meanwhile, Worcester is hosting free World Cup watch parties on the Common, including Haiti vs. Scotland on June 13. Tourism Angle: Philadelphia is rolling out a full World Cup match schedule plus a long FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill, turning diaspora pride into a travel draw.

World Cup Travel & Visas: Haiti’s sole Haiti-based World Cup player, defensive midfielder Woodensky Pierre, is still awaiting a U.S. visa to join the squad in Florida, after travel restrictions delayed his process; the Haitian Football Federation says it could be finalized soon once he has an official passport. Base Camps & Training: FIFA has confirmed World Cup base-camp locations for all 48 teams, including Haiti’s camp at Stockton University in Galloway, while Senegal is using Rutgers in New Jersey—big news for fans planning trips around matches. Haiti Pride in the U.S.: Massachusetts declared May 26 “Frantzdy Pierrot Day” to honor the Haitian striker’s role in Haiti’s World Cup return and to launch a foundation connecting young Haitian players with clubs abroad. Fan Culture & Community Events: Massachusetts communities finally received FIFA approval for World Cup watch parties, including a Boston Common neighborhood lineup featuring a Brazil vs. Haiti watch party. Food & Tourism: North Miami’s “1804 Haitian Pizza” is blending Haitian classics like griot and oxtail into pizza, tacos, and rice bowls—an easy stop for travelers chasing local flavor. Local Travel Boost: Sunrise Airways launched a direct Cap-Haïtien–Newark route starting June 1, adding a new option for visitors heading to Haiti.

Visa & Security at the Center of Haiti’s World Cup Hopes: Haiti’s sole domestic-based World Cup player, defensive midfielder Woodensky Pierre in Port-au-Prince, is still waiting on a U.S. visa to join the squad in Florida, as gangs effectively control much of the capital and the Trump administration’s travel restrictions keep slowing approvals. Massachusetts Honors Haitian Striker: Gov. Maura Healey declared May 26 “Frantzdy Pierrot Day,” spotlighting the Haitian forward’s journey from barefoot street football in Haiti to leading Haiti’s return to the World Cup, with a new foundation aimed at connecting young Haitian players to clubs abroad. Travel Boost for Northern Haiti: Sunrise Airways announced a new once-weekly direct Cap-Haïtien–Newark route starting June 1, giving the diaspora a simpler way to reach northern Haiti for tourism and family visits. World Cup Travel Reality Check for Fans: With Haiti facing visa hurdles, Haitian supporters may be shut out of attending matches in the U.S., even as host cities gear up for major tourism and fan events. Culture on the Move: In Miami, 1804 Haitian Pizza is bringing Haitian flavors to North Miami—an easy stop for travelers looking for food that feels like home.

Haiti World Cup travel squeeze: Haiti’s only squad member based in Port-au-Prince, defensive midfielder Woodensky Pierre, is still waiting on a U.S. visa to join the team in Florida as gang violence keeps much of the capital under siege. Diaspora flights & tourism access: Sunrise Airways says it will launch a direct Cap-Haïtien–Newark route on June 1, once a week, cutting the need to connect through Florida and boosting travel links for northern Haiti. World Cup fan life in the U.S.: Massachusetts declared May 26 “Frantzdy Pierrot Day” to honor the Haitian striker and his World Cup push, but the celebration comes amid a U.S. travel ban that may keep Haitian fans from attending. Watch parties: Long Island is rolling out free World Cup watch experiences, including a Third Eye Blind performance, giving fans a low-cost way to catch matches. Money at the border: A Haitian woman in the Bahamas denied failing to declare about $73,000 before traveling to Haiti, with her case headed to trial in August.

World Cup travel squeeze: Massachusetts honored Haitian star Frantzdy Pierrot with a “Frantzdy Pierrot Day” proclamation Tuesday, but the celebration is shadowed by the Trump-era Haiti travel ban that’s keeping many Haitian fans from getting to the U.S. for Haiti’s first World Cup in 52 years. Local access and pricing fights: Across the tournament, fans are pushing back on FIFA fees and rules—Scotland’s Tartan Army even launched a ticket-exchange site to cut touts and save supporters tens of thousands of pounds. New Haiti–U.S. link: In brighter logistics news, Sunrise Airways says it will start a direct Cap-Haïtien–Newark flight on June 1, once a week, aiming to make diaspora travel easier. Immigration fear at the gate: Haitian fans in the U.S. are also bracing for ICE presence, with many saying they’re “thinking twice” about flying. Haiti in the match map: FIFA has now finalized base camps for all 48 teams, with Haiti listed among U.S. training sites.

World Cup logistics: FIFA just confirmed the full 48-team base-camp map, with Ghana setting up at Bryant University in Boston and Haiti’s camp listed at Stockton University in Galloway, NJ—while Kansas City becomes a major hub for big names like Argentina and England. Haiti–diaspora travel: Sunrise Airways will start a direct Cap-Haïtien–Newark route on June 1, once a week, cutting out Florida connections for northern travelers. Haiti in the spotlight, but fear too: Haiti’s first World Cup since 1974 is bringing pride—and anxiety—because some Haitian fans in the U.S. worry about ICE during travel. Community milestones: Miami’s Little Haiti marked 10 years since its official neighborhood designation, a reminder of how Haitian culture keeps growing abroad. Local ripple effects: A woman was arrested in The Bahamas after failing to declare $73k in cash headed to Haiti, adding to the week’s Haiti-linked headlines.

World Cup logistics locked in: FIFA says all 48 teams have confirmed base camps—39 in the US, seven in Mexico, two in Canada—with Haiti’s training base set at Stockton University in New Jersey. Security spotlight: A White House official says Atlanta faces an “entire continent to protect” security push, with a visible federal presence layered over local forces. Haiti fans feel the squeeze: In the US, Haitians are proud but priced out—ticket and travel costs are keeping many away from matches. Immigration fear hangs over matches: Haitian and other immigrant communities say Trump-era ICE crackdowns are making people “think twice” about flying or even showing up, with warnings that enforcement could spill into World Cup crowds. CARICOM legal win: The Caribbean Court of Justice backed Derek Ramsamooj after detention in Suriname, a reminder that rights battles are still playing out across the region.

Immigration Crackdown Hits World Cup Hopes: The Trump administration’s new USCIS policy memo says most people seeking green cards from inside the U.S. must instead apply through U.S. consulates abroad—raising fears of family separation and de facto deportations, just as World Cup travel ramps up. Haiti in the Spotlight: In Boston’s Haitian community, World Cup excitement is colliding with sticker shock—tickets and transport are so expensive that local leaders say they’ve hit “walls” trying to secure community tickets. Cap-Haïtien Leadership Shift: Ex-mayor Michel Saint-Croix has returned to lead an interim commission tasked with tackling sanitation breakdowns, flooding risk, and crumbling infrastructure. Food Security Under Fire: A new study says hunger is increasingly used as a weapon of war, with thousands of attacks on markets and food systems recorded since 2018—naming places including Haiti. Local Culture, Global Pressure: Even as Haiti’s first World Cup run in 50+ years builds energy, the week’s coverage shows how policy and conflict abroad can quickly turn celebration into anxiety.

Immigration Crackdown: USCIS says “adjustment of status” for many green-card seekers is now “extraordinary” and pushes most applicants to apply from abroad via consulates—raising fears of family separation and de facto deportations. World Cup Anxiety: As FIFA kicks off June 11, immigrant communities in NYC and Seattle are bracing for ICE presence and raids near venues, while Haiti fans say ticket prices and travel rules are keeping them away. Haiti Local Governance: Ex-mayor Michel Saint-Croix returns to lead Cap-Haïtien’s interim commission as sanitation, flooding, and infrastructure failures keep sparking public anger. Food as a Weapon: A new study tallies 20,000+ incidents of “food-related violence,” including attacks on markets and food systems in places like Haiti. Tourism & Culture: In Brooklyn’s Little Haiti, officials are pushing watch parties and neighborhood events to revive foot traffic despite the crackdown. Sports Pop Culture: Ray J was knocked out in a celebrity MMA bout in Las Vegas.

Hunger as a weapon: A new study says “food-related violence” has surged, with 21,403 incidents of deliberate attacks on food supplies since 2018—hitting markets, distribution routes, farmland, and water systems in places including Haiti. World Cup pressure on Haiti fans: As Haiti prepares for its first World Cup in 52 years, ticket prices and travel costs are keeping many supporters away, with community leaders in Boston saying they’ve hit “walls” trying to secure affordable local access. Immigration squeeze abroad: The same week brought fresh U.S. immigration tightening—USCIS pushing most green-card seekers to apply from outside the country—and reports of refugees being rejected at the Canada-U.S. border and handed to ICE, raising fears for Haitian families caught in the system. Local strain at home: In Haiti’s Northwest, people are increasingly turning to sea travel as gangs block roads, but customs fees and weak regulation are making the workaround harder to sustain.

Food as a weapon: A new analysis says “food-related violence” has surged since 2018, with 21,403 incidents across 15 countries and repeated attacks on markets, farmland, and water systems—naming Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, and Haiti among the worst hit. Haiti under pressure: In Haiti’s Northwest, gangs blocking roads are pushing residents and merchants toward sea travel, but operators warn customs fees and weak oversight are making the lifeline unsustainable. World Cup, but not for everyone: Haitians in the U.S. are excited for Les Grenadiers’ first World Cup in 52 years, yet ticket and travel costs—and a travel ban—are keeping many away, including in Boston’s Haitian community. Immigration squeeze around the tournament: In Canada, some asylum seekers are being rejected at the border and handed to ICE in the U.S., while new USCIS rules push many green-card applicants to apply from abroad. NYC watch-party anxiety: Brooklyn’s “Little Haiti” is seeing quieter streets as deportation fears linger, even as city tourism teams try to spark World Cup events.