On Wednesday, the United States announced that it is actively working toward a security mission to Haiti and a transition to new leadership.
The current Haitian Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, remains in Puerto Rico as armed gangs rule much of the capital Port-au-Prince, and have stated they are looking to oust him.
Heavily armed groups attempted to take over Haiti's primary airport. Toussaint Louverture International Airport. on Tuesday following the escape of 4,000 prisoners. Witnesses say the gangs began "indiscriminately massacring people."
The Prime Minister is in Puerto Rico to scare up support for an international force led by Kenya to help bring security to his country.
Gang leader Jimmy Cherizier leads a coalition of his own that is comprised of once-rival criminal gangs. He has said that they would fight the international force as a united front and warned the violence could escalate into a civil war if the Prime Minister does not step down.
"What we have asked the Haitian prime minister to do is move forward on a political process that will lead to the establishment of a presidential transitional council that will lead to elections, and we think that is urgent," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters.
She also said the United States was working with Kenya in moving toward the force becoming a reality. Composed of voluntary contributions that have fallen beneath early estimates, the ambassador stated that she hoped the force would become a reality soon.
Prime Minister Henry set up a transition council over a year ago but faced criticism as opponents say they were left out of the process.
He has postponed elections, though he was not elected, amid security concerns that may affect a free and fair vote. T
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called for the urgent deployment of the planned security force, which was initially requested by Henry in October 2022.
"The reality is that, in the current context, there is no realistic alternative available to protect lives," Turk said. "This situation is beyond untenable for the people of Haiti."
According to the U.N., at least 313,000 have fled their homes inside Haiti while close to 1,200 have been killed and nearly 700 injured since the start of this year. There are reports of widespread rape, torture, and kidnappings for ransom in gang-controlled areas. The conflict has also cut off access to food, medical services, and humanitarian aid as well.
