Prime Minister Ariel Henry of Haiti has found himself stranded abroad in Puerto Rico as a result of threats from gangs in his home country. The gangs, surrounding the main airport in Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince, have made it impossible for Henry to return home.
The situation escalated when the Dominican Republic denied permission for Henry’s plane to make a layover, forcing him to divert to Puerto Rico instead. Gang leader Jimmy “Barbeque” Chérizier has issued an ultimatum for Henry to resign, threatening civil war if he doesn’t comply.
This crisis in Haiti comes on the heels of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, leaving the country with no elected officials currently in power. The chaos further intensified over the weekend when gangs attacked two major jails in Port-au-Prince, prompting Haiti to declare a state of emergency.
Amidst this turmoil, the United States and CARICOM nations are urging Henry to agree to a transition to elections and establish a transitional council. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield emphasized the urgency for Haiti to move towards normalcy and implement a plan for elections.
In an effort to help quell the violence, the U.S. is also working with Kenya on plans to send a multinational force to Haiti. As the situation continues to unfold, all eyes are on Haiti as the country grapples with political upheaval and violence that threaten to further destabilize the region. Stay tuned for updates on Insider Wales Sport.
