Director General Ali Concludes Meetings in Washington DC
PRESS RELEASE
Washington, D.C., January 26, 2026. Director General Jerusa Ali of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas concluded a technical visit to Washington, D.C., where she held a series of high-level consultations focused on Caribbean coordination and international support for security stabilization efforts in Haiti under the Gang Suppression Force framework.
Director General Ali (front row right) with Ambassadors Wendal Jones, Ambassador to the United States (front row, second from left), Ambassador Chet Neymour (front row left), Permanent Representative to the OAS, and the staffs of the Bahamas Embassy and the Permanent Mission.
During the visit, Director General Ali engaged senior military and diplomatic officials involved in GSF planning and force coordination. Discussions centered on the evolving operational environment, timelines for deployment, and the responsibilities of participating states as the current mission structure transitions later this year. Particular attention was given to sustainment arrangements, non-combat technical contributions, and the importance of aligning Caribbean participation with national capabilities and political directives.
(L-R)Defence Attaché Chapell Whyms, Mr. Elliot Carmean (U.S. State Department) Barbara A. Feinstein, (Deputy Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti, U.S. State Department) His Excellency Wendal Jones, (Bahamas Ambassador to the United States of America)
Director General Ali also held bilateral discussions with regional and international partners to strengthen coordination among Caribbean states. In meetings with Jamaican counterparts, she underscored the value of transparency, early alignment on force structure, and practical solutions to logistical challenges facing small contributing countries. The exchanges reflected growing confidence in collaborative approaches that leverage regional proximity, shared cultural understanding, and complementary capabilities.
(L-R): His Excellency Nestor Mendez, Beliz Ambassador to the US, Director General Jerusa Ali, Defense Attache Chapell Whyms
As part of the visit, Director General Ali engaged representatives from non-Caribbean contributing countries, including Chad, to explore technical and diplomatic frameworks that would support effective multinational operations. These discussions highlighted The Bahamas’ strategic geographic position, its longstanding engagement with Haiti, and its experience in addressing gang-related security challenges through specialized policing and defense capabilities. The consultations emphasized the importance of formalized diplomatic arrangements and streamlined movement of personnel to enable timely and effective mission support.
(L-R) Defence Attaché Chapell Whyms, Director General Jerusa, Mr. Roberto Nocella, Italy’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the Washington consultations form part of The Bahamas’ broader effort to ensure that its international security engagements are carefully sequenced, risk-managed, and consistent with Cabinet-approved parameters. The outcomes of the visit will inform ongoing internal assessments and regional discussions ahead of upcoming decision points within the GSF framework.
Director General Ali with Permanent Mission Staff: (L-R) Mr. Ron Sands, Second Secretary/Alternate Representative, Mrs Mychele Jones, Administrative Attache, Mr. Mikhail Bullard, Minister Counsellor/ Alternate Representative, H.E> Chet D. Neymour, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of The Bahamas to the OAS. Director General Jerusa Ali, Defense Attache Chapell Whyms, Ms. Christy Lightbourn, Second Secretary/Alternate Representative
The Ministry reaffirmed The Bahamas’ commitment to constructive regional leadership, multilateral cooperation, and practical contributions that support stability in Haiti while safeguarding national interests and sustainability.