Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry has found himself in a precarious situation as he was forced to land in Puerto Rico after being denied entry into his own country. The prime minister’s whereabouts had been unknown for several days following a visit to Kenya, during which violence in Haiti escalated. Armed gangs attempted to take over the international airport to prevent Henry from landing, and their leader, Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, demanded the prime minister’s resignation, warning of a potential civil war and genocide.
Henry’s plane was diverted to Puerto Rico after being denied entry into both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic announced the closure of its airspace with Haiti, emphasizing the need for peace and control at the border. The reasons for Henry’s denied entry could be procedural due to the state of emergency imposed in Haiti, which led to the cancellation of all flights and the closure of the airport in Port-au-Prince. Another reason could be concerns for Henry’s safety, as he would be a clear target for the gangs demanding his resignation.
The failed attempt to return home weakens Henry’s position and raises concerns about his authority being undermined by authorities beneath him. As he remains in Puerto Rico, he must determine his next steps while Haiti descends further into chaos. The prime minister left Haiti to attend a regional summit in Guyana before traveling to Kenya to sign a deal on the deployment of a multinational police force to Haiti. During his absence, a coalition of gangs led by Chérizier launched attacks on police stations and prisons, resulting in the escape of around 4,000 inmates. The country’s airports have been defended by soldiers, and armed gang members have even attacked the police academy.
The recent violence has displaced approximately 15,000 people, according to the United Nations. Henry assumed office after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, but he was supposed to cede power by February 7, 2022, following a political agreement. However, the elections did not take place as planned, leading to protests demanding adherence to the agreed-upon plan. The assassination of Moïse exacerbated gang violence and created a power vacuum in the country, which is already the poorest in the Western hemisphere. Armed gangs, armed with weapons smuggled from the US, have gained control over 80% of Port-au-Prince in recent years.
Henry has called on the international community to send troops to help combat these gangs, but no assistance has arrived thus far. The Bahamas and Benin have committed to sending troops, while Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda have expressed their willingness to help. The US has pledged $200 million to support the deployment. In addition to civil and political unrest, Haiti’s economy and public health system are in dire straits.
Haiti, with a population of approximately 11.5 million, is a Caribbean country sharing a border with the Dominican Republic. The official languages are French and Haitian Creole. The current situation in Haiti highlights the urgent need for stability and support to address the escalating violence and socio-economic challenges facing the country.
