The leader of a criminal organization was responsible for a six-day uprising against Haiti’s prime minister, Ariel Henry. The criminal has stated that the Caribbean nation could potentially face a civil war unless its exiled leader resigns from power.
Dressed in an olive green vest designed for combat and accompanied by a team of armed soldiers wearing masks, gang leader Jimmy Chérizier stated to the media that his nation was on the verge of turmoil. Chérizier, a former police officer, now known by the name Barbecue, proclaimed, “Haiti must become either a utopia or a nightmare for all of us.”
Chérizier warned, “If Ariel Henry does not step down and the international community continues to back him, we will inevitably face a civil war that could result in genocide.”
In the past six days, members of gangs have set free numerous prisoners and attacked and surrounded key areas in the city of Port-au-Prince. These include two airports, police stations, and a port. Most of the flights to and from the country’s main international airport have been called off due to gangs launching a fresh attack on the grounds on Tuesday.
Jean-Marc Biquet, the leader of Médecins Sans Frontières in Haiti, expresses concern about the current state of control. He fears that even the police may eventually give up and surrender, leading to complete chaos.
According to US officials, there will be no coercion for Henry to depart, but they are urging him to promptly devise a plan for shifting to a democratic ruling system. This is in addition to the pressure being exerted by Caricom, a regional organization in the Caribbean.
Chérizier’s efforts to attract attention from the cameras sharply contrast with the near-complete silence from Henry and his debilitated administration.
Monique Clesca, a writer and political activist based in Port-au-Prince, expressed her horror and heartbreak over the current situation in Haiti. She also criticized the government for their lack of action and incompetence under Prime Minister Henry’s administration.
Due to the ongoing gang violence in Haiti, the country’s interim president, a 70-year-old neurosurgeon, has been absent from the public eye. He assumed the role after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 and was out of the country in Kenya trying to expedite the deployment of a multinational security team.
American authorities state that Henry’s trip aided in resolving the constitutional problems which were hindering the deployment of Kenyan forces. They also confirm that the security team is prepared to be dispatched quickly. The method of transportation, whether it be via US military aircraft, and the exact time of arrival at the airport, remain unclear.
On Tuesday, following a period of speculation regarding his location, Henry apparently made an effort to come back to Haiti by flying from the United States to Port-au-Prince’s international airport. Nevertheless, according to an article in El Nuevo Día, Puerto Rico’s biggest newspaper, Henry’s personal aircraft was denied landing clearance. The plane was also unable to land in the nearby Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. As a result, Henry had to return to San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. It is not known what his next course of action will be.
The US state department spokesperson told El Nuevo Día that the prime minister’s travel plans will be addressed by himself. They also stated that the US is not giving any military support for the prime minister’s return to Haiti.
The UN Security Council is set to convene a confidential urgent session on Wednesday to discuss the increasing security crisis in Haiti. This crisis is only worsening the existing dire humanitarian situation, leaving nearly 50% of Haiti’s 11.7 million people facing severe hunger, as reported by the World Food Programme.
In response to Chérizier’s demand for Henry’s resignation, Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the state department, stated to the press: “[We] encourage all parties involved to prioritize the well-being of the Haitian people and put an end to the violence, including the actions of these gangs responsible for the recent turmoil. It is essential that compromises are made to promote inclusive leadership, hold fair and transparent elections, and restore democratic processes.”
Source: theguardian.com
