US Senate confirms Biden nominee Hankins to be ambassador to Haiti

Smoke billows out from the National Penitentiary following a fire, as a powerful gang leader in Haiti has issued a threatening message aimed at political leaders who would take part in a still unformed transition council for the country, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 14, 2024. REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to confirm career diplomat Dennis Hankins as ambassador to Haiti, filling the key diplomatic post in the troubled Caribbean country for the first time in nearly 2-1/2 years.

The Senate backed Hankins, who previously has been ambassador to Mali and Guinea, by an overwhelming 89 to 1 vote.