The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Republic of Haiti, Dennis Bruce Hankins, arrived in Haiti on March 26, 2024.
According to a press release from the American diplomatic representation, Ambassador Hankins looks forward to officially taking office as soon as he has presented his credentials in accordance with diplomatic protocols.
President Joseph Biden nominated Ambassador Hankins to head the U.S. Mission to Haiti on May 19, 2023, his nomination was reviewed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on September 20, 2023 and then confirmed by the full Senate on March 14, 2024.
“It is an honor for me to return to Haiti, a place I love, as ambassador. I recognize that the Haitian people are going through a difficult time. Haitians deserve to be represented by elected officials who are accountable to the people. I am committed to working with my team at the U.S. Embassy, with my colleagues in Washington, D.C., and especially with Haitian stakeholders to ensure that we have learned from our shared history, that we take into account the needs and desires of all voices in Haiti, and that the United States continues to be a partner and supporter of Haitian efforts to restore democratic order, address human rights, and ensure a healthy Haiti more prosperous and more stable for the Haitian people. Haiti deserves peace, security and prosperity. I commit to being a humble partner to the Haitian people during this time of crisis and throughout our common journey towards a future marked by democracy, stability, prosperity and peace. »
Ambassador Hankins is a career diplomat, member of the United States Foreign Service. Since beginning his career in 1984, he has served in Brazil, Thailand, Sudan, Haiti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Portugal, Mozambique, Saudi Arabia and Mauritania. He previously served as United States Ambassador to Guinea and Mali. He also served as deputy director of the Office of Peacekeeping within the Bureau of International Organizations.
Ambassador Hankins is married to his beloved wife Mira and has a son Danu who works for the United States Navy. He speaks French, Portuguese and Indonesian. Ambassador Hankins considers Minnesota his home town.
