“If Ariel Henry doesn’t step down, we’re headed straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide,” Jimmy Barbecue, who heads a powerful gang alliance, said Tuesday.
Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Cherisier made the threat as members of his gang tried to occupy the capital’s airport to stop the country’s prime minister returning from abroad.
So far, the violence has mainly been seen around the capital, but there have been reports of shootings in the city of Jeremiah and also prison riots in the south.
Invasions of the main two prisons, attacks on police officers – the gang alliance has caused a significant wave of violence, as a result of which thousands of prisoners have escaped en masse.
The gang leader has opposed the prime minister since he took power shortly after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.
Since the outbreak of violence, the prime minister has not spoken publicly about what is happening. He only shared the news about the declaration of a state of emergency.
“Either Haiti will become a paradise for all of us, or a hell for all of us,” the gang leader declared.
Haiti has not elected officials and no elections have been held since 2016. The lack of officers is filled by gangs that control 80% of the capital.
Kidnappings for ransom have become very popular. Many schools and medical facilities are closed for security reasons.
The medical charity Doctors Without Borders announced that it will temporarily suspend the operation of mobile clinics in several locations.
“We are afraid that we will run out of medicines and medical equipment, which are absolutely necessary to meet the needs we are currently facing,” said head of mission Mumuza Muhindo Musubaho.
The United Nations Security Council announced that it will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday, March 6, to discuss the situation.
2024-03-06 16:23:29
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