Henry Ariel
Gang violence escalates: Haiti’s head of government resigns
Armed men in Port-au-Prince: Gang violence in Haiti has escalated since the end of February and thousands of prison inmates have been freed.
© Odelyn Joseph / Imago Images
Since the murder of former President Jovenel Moïse, the security situation in the Caribbean state of Haiti has been fragile. Now gang crime has escalated – and Prime Minister Henry is resigning.
A US government official said Henry confirmed his resignation in a phone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Henry can stay in the US territory of Puerto Rico, where he is currently staying.
Haiti: Escalation of gang violence
The violence in Haiti escalated at the end of February during Henry’s trip abroad in Kenya. Armed gangs in the country attacked police stations and freed thousands of prisoners from prisons, they also attacked the presidential palace.
While Haiti’s Prime Minister Henry Ariel was traveling abroad, violence in Haiti escalated (archive photo)
© Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP/DPA
The gangs demanded the resignation of Henry, who has been in power since 2021 and who was actually supposed to leave the office of Prime Minister at the beginning of February. Instead, at the end of February, Henry agreed with the opposition to govern together until new elections were held.
USA supports Haiti with millions
At the Caribbean Community crisis meeting in Kingston, US Secretary of State said Blinken announced further support for Haiti on Monday amounting to 133 million dollars (around 122 million euros). Of this, $100 million is earmarked for an international security mission and $33 million for humanitarian aid.
Escalating gang violence is creating an “untenable situation” in Haiti, Blinken said. “We all know that urgent action is necessary at both the political and security levels.” At the same time, the US Secretary of State emphasized: “Only the people of Haiti can decide their future – no one else.”
The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 plunged the Caribbean state, which was already characterized by crime, political instability and great poverty, into an even deeper crisis. Gangs now control large parts of the country, and the number of murders has more than doubled in the past year. There have been no elections in Haiti since 2016.