The leader of a regional body announced on Monday that Ariel Henry, the Prime Minister of Haiti, has stepped down from his position as the head of the Caribbean nation. Henry, a 74-year-old neurosurgeon, had been serving in this unelected role since the assassination of the country’s previous president in 2021.
“We acknowledge his resignation upon the establishment of transitional presidential council and naming an interim prime minister,” said Caribbean Community (CARICOM) chair and Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, thanking Henry for his service to Haiti.
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Haiti Crisis: Ariel Henry Stranded, Interim PM Appointment
Henry traveled to Kenya late last month to secure its leadership of a United Nations-backed international security mission to help police fight armed gangs, but a drastic escalation of violence in the capital, Port-au-Prince, during his absence left him stranded in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.
Ali said the presidential council would have two observers and seven voting members, including representatives from several coalitions, the private sector, civil society and one religious leader. The council has been mandated to “swiftly” appoint an interim prime minister, he added, and anyone who intends to run in Haiti’s next elections will not be able participate.
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More mission funds in Haiti
Henry’s resignation comes alongside regional talks over participation in an international force, which he had requested to help police fight the gangs. Their brutal turf wars have fueled a humanitarian crisis, cut off food supplies and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday the United States would contribute an additional $100 million to this force and $33 million in humanitarian aid, bringing the United States’ total pledge to the force to $300 million.
‘A bloody recolution’ in haiti
In Haiti, gang leader Cherizier has threatened to go after hotel owners hiding politicians or collaborating with Henry. He demand the country’s next leader be chose by the people and live in Haiti, alongside their families.
“We’re not in a peaceful revolution. We are making a bloody revolution in the country because this system is an apartheid system, a wicked system,” Cherizier said. Residents in the capital saw heavy gunfire over the weekend as armed men downtown surrounded the National Palace on Friday night and by Sunday the United States had airlifted staff from its embassy. On Monday, authorities extended a nightly curfew until Thursday.
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