Every Haitian has wondered where the prime minister is since armed gangs plunged the Caribbean nation into near chaos.
Since last week's violent unrest, afflicted Ariel Henry, who took control after President Jovenel Moïse's killing in 2021, has been gone. Henry has chosen to remain silent as he travels extensively across the globe, from South America to Africa, without specifying when he will be back, as per AP News.
Haiti Crisis CBP Fights Gang Assaults
Haiti is currently experiencing a surge of turmoil, with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents getting in to address the organized gang assaults on law enforcement and government facilities. There has been a recent increase in violence in Port-au-Prince, where armed groups have been burning down police stations and freeing thousands of inmates from prisons in an attempt to overthrow Prime Minister Ariel Henry's government.
The violence unfolded while Prime Minister Henry was in Kenya, signing an agreement for a Kenyan-led mission to send 1,000 police officers to restore security in Haiti. The last public sighting of Henry was in Kenya on Friday, and he has since arrived in Puerto Rico, according to Sheila Angleró Mojica, who confirmed that CBP agents are overseeing the situation.
A state of emergency was declared by Haiti's government on Sunday due to the deteriorating security situation, citing increasingly violent criminal acts by armed gangs, leading to kidnappings, citizen killings, violence against women and children, and looting. Finance Minister Patrick Boivert issued a statement highlighting the government's response to the security crisis.
The surge in violence can be traced back to a direct challenge by powerful gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, also known as Barbecue, a former elite police officer. Chérizier vowed to target government ministers to prevent Henry's return and force his resignation. The ensuing offensive saw attacks on critical infrastructure, including the central bank, airport, and national soccer stadium. A jailbreak at the National Penitentiary and another prison released over 5,000 inmates onto the streets, exacerbating the crisis, according to CNN News.
Haiti's Prime Minister Calls for International Support
Despite repeated requests for comment, the prime minister's office has remained silent on Henry's whereabouts and his expected return. Henry, positioning himself as a transitional figure and peacemaker with the backing of the US government, faces domestic opposition due to economic decline, surging gang violence, and an inability to organize general elections since 2015.
The Biden administration, while providing financial and logistical support for a multinational security force, has refrained from deploying US troops. Former US envoy to Haiti, Daniel Foote, now emphasizes the urgent need for a US-led military intervention, stating that Haiti has descended into a failed state.
Despite Foote's call for intervention, the Biden administration remains firm in its refusal to deploy troops. The UN spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, is unaware of discussions regarding a formal UN peacekeeping mission, suggesting that the focus remains on the previously endorsed multinational security force.
The current state of affairs is once again prompting foreign powers to consider becoming involved in order to help stabilize Haiti. Although elections are considered essential for long-term stability, concerns remain about the appropriateness of Henry's leadership. Some argue that withdrawing support for Henry is crucial for any intervention to be successful, highlighting the pressing necessity for international action to stop more violence in Haiti, East Bay Times reported.
Related Article: Haiti Crisis: 3 Things to Know About the Unrest in the Caribbean
