Haiti faces further turmoil as PM says only he can appoint leadership counci

Ariel Henry’s office said that, under Haiti’s constitution, it is down to him and his cabinet to appoint transitional leaders to steer the nation through the crisis

Haiti: Hundreds of inmates escape after armed gangs storm prison

Haiti is facing further turmoil as former Prime Minister Ariel Henry has said that only he can appoint the transitional council needed to take over leadership of the beleaguered Caribbean nation.

Ariel Henry’s office told CNN that, under Haiti’s constitution, it is down to him and his cabinet to appoint the transitional leaders – as he vowed to follow constitutional procedures.

“We will not deliver the country to just a group of people without following the procedure. We are in crisis as a country, but we must stay inside of the law and set a good example,” his office said.

This further state of flux comes after a state of emergency was declared in the nation last week, prompting Caribbean leaders and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to meet in Jamaica to urgently discuss the crisis on Monday.

On 11 March, Mr Henry agreed to resign once a transitional presidential council is created.

The violence, which began on 29 February, has seen gang members burn down police stations and raid prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

Heavily armed criminal gangs also attacked major government assets across the capital Port-au-Prince and took control of the main international airports.

Key points

• US forces deployed to protect US embassy in Haiti
• US and EU embassies begin evacuating staff
• Haiti prime minister resigns as criminal gangs plunge country into crisis

[13 March 2024 14:00 · Graig Graziosi]

US embassy workers evacuate Haiti

US embassy workers are being airlifted out of Haiti following widespread gang takeovers of the island and the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

The US said “concerns” over the conditions — and the potential for continued violence — drove the decision to remove staff from the nation.

US officials and members of Caricom, a group of leaders representing 15 Carribbean nations, have been meeting over the last several days to address the spiralling crisis in Haiti.

[13 March 2024 14:48 · Graig Graziosi]

Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Cherizier: The former cop-turned-gang leader bringing Haiti to its knees

Haiti’s prime minister Ariel Henry said he was resigning amid mounting international pressure following gang violence that has pushed the capital to the brink of civil war.

Mr Henry faced calls to resign from Haitian gang leaders who have taken control of capital Port-au-Prince, keeping the prime minister stranded outside the country.

Heavily armed gangs have tried to seize control of Haiti’s main international airport, exchanging gunfire with police and soldiers in the latest attack on key government sites.

[13 March 2024 15:41 · Graig Graziosi]

New York Mayor Eric Adams offers message of support for people of Haiti

[13 March 2024 16:10 · Graig Graziosi]

Haiti’s largest non-government hospital shares ‘challenge’ of keeping up with escalating violence

Zanmi Lasante, Haiti’s largest non-government healthcare provider says it is facing staffing and cost issues as it tries to keep up with the gang violence across the island.

The hospital offered the following statement:

“Zanmi Lasante—Partners In Health’s sister organization operating in Haiti—is facing urgent challenges to maintain clinical services across the communities we serve. With roads and transportation blocked, it is difficult to get essential supplies to our sites; in the meantime, the costs and risks of doing so are rising. Zanmi Lasante is experiencing an increasing need among our staff for mental health support as well as access to food and safe housing in their communities. The ZL team remains steadfastly committed to identifying solutions and overcoming these barriers so we can continue to provide lifesaving care. As a social justice organization committed to advancing human rights, we refuse to accept that any life is worth less than another. We urge all parties involved to take measures to help stabilize the country to ensure Haitians can access health care and other fundamental rights.”

[13 March 2024 17:17 · Graig Graziosi]

France’s ambassador to Haiti has returned to the island

The French ambassador to Haiti has reportedly returned to the capital after weeks of coordinated gang attacks on government facilities forced Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign.

[13 March 2024 17:40 · Graig Graziosi]

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sends state guard, law enforcement prepare for ‘influx’ of fleeing Haitians

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has sent state guard troops and state law enforcement officers to the state’s southern reaches — specifically the Keys — to stop Haitians from fleeing the island to the US.

[13 March 2024 18:00 · Graig Graziosi]

Coast Guard intercepts vessel carrying Haitian migrants

The US Coast Guard Cutter Venturous intercepted 65 migrants from Haiti near Great Inagua, Bahamas, according to a statement.

A witness spotted a sailing vessel “in distress” on 7 March and notified the Coast Guard.

“The Coast Guard’s primary mission as a member of the Homeland Security Task Force- Southeast is to preserve human life at sea,” Captain Willie Carmichael, Incident Commander for Operation Vigilant Sentry, said in a statement . “The maritime environment is inherently dangerous and can become deadly aboard crowded unseaworthy vessels. The Coast Guard will continue working with our HSTF-SE partners to rescue and repatriate anyone attempting irregular migration via sea routes, regardless of their nationality.”

All of the migrants were given food, water, medical attention, and shelter before they were repatriated to Haiti.

[13 March 2024 18:36 · Graig Graziosi]

US sends Marines to secure US Embassy and assist staff in evacuating

US Southern Command issued a statement on Wednesday saying a group of Marines has been sent to secure the embassy in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.

The statement can be found below:

“At the request of the Department of State, the U.S. Southern Command deployed a U.S. Marine Fleet-Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) to maintain strong security capabilities at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and conduct relief in place for our current Marines, a common and routine practice worldwide -- and allow additional non-emergency personnel to depart. Our Marines in Haiti completed their assignment and were relieved by a secondary team of Marines. The U.S. Embassy remains open, and limited operations continue, focused on assistance to US citizens and supporting Haitian led efforts to secure a peaceful transition of power. This week, the Department of Defense doubled our funding for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, and we are working with Haitian, Kenyan, and other partners to expedite its deployment to support the Haitian National Police and to restore security in Haiti. The Department of Defense is postured to provide enabling support for the MSS, including planning assistance, information sharing, airlift, and medical support.”

[13 March 2024 19:37 · Graig Graziosi]

WATCH: Agape Flights still paused for aid to Haiti

[13 March 2024 20:16 · Graig Graziosi]

Why is Haiti so chaotic? Leaders used street gangs to gain power. Then the gangs got stronger

Haiti’s prime minister was last seen in Puerto Rico, negotiating his return to a homeland gripped by violence and controlled by heavily armed gangsters. With his fate in the air and the situation in Haiti deteriorating by the day, the world has been left to wonder whether the country will fully descend into anarchy or whether some semblance of order will be restored.

What is going on in Haiti?

It’s easy to blame this latest spasm of violence in the West’s first free Black republic on longstanding poverty, the legacy of colonialism, widespread deforestation, and European and U.S. interference.

However, a series of experts told The Associated Press that the most important immediate cause is more recent: Haitian rulers’ increasing dependence on street gangs.