Austin Holmes nominated as U.S. ambassador to Haiti

President Donald Trump has nominated Austin Holmes, a Florida businessman, to serve as the United States ambassador to Haiti. The nomination was sent to the Senate on September 14, 2026, and is currently pending review by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Holmes possesses extensive experience in humanitarian work and security operations within Haiti. During a recent Senate subcommittee hearing, Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin noted Holmes’ deep understanding of the Haitian context. Holmes previously lived in Haiti with his family and has been involved in high-stakes security missions, including the successful rescue of Jeff Frazier, who was held captive by gangs for 43 days in 2023.

Holmes emphasized that his approach relies on local expertise, noting that his teams consist largely of Haitians and Haitian-Americans who possess language proficiency and established local relationships. The appointment comes as the United States remains actively involved in addressing Haiti’s ongoing security crisis and political instability.