Haiti’s Prime Minister resigns as chaos overtakes the country

Haiti’s Prime Minister has resigned as law and order collapses after Canada joined several countries pressuring him to leave once a translational presidential council was created.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry made his resignation announcement from Puerto Rico.

Deadly gang violence has taken over the country, with groups threatening violence should Henry return.

Canada is welcoming the unelected prime minister’s resignation after they joined the United States and Caribbean nation leaders in a proposal for a transitional council.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took part in a high-level virtual meeting and released a statement where he highlighted Canada’s ongoing efforts to support Haiti and Caribbean countries, as well as calling on additional international partners to step up and provide much needed support.

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Fears have grown that gang members will pursue a government of their own in Haiti as they have been gaining power over the last three years.

Haiti does not currently have a standing army, nor a robust national police force.

Henry came to power as an interim leader in 2021 after former president Jovenel Moïse was assassinated.

He inherited a crippling economy and spiraling violence as gangs seized control of 80 per cent of the capital and other regions.

The United States has now announced $300 million for a mission that Secretary of State Antony Blinken says will work towards restoring a foundation of security in order to address suffering among innocent citizens.

The U.S. has pledged a further $100 million for United Nations backed forces in Haiti, but the announcement of a new interim government has raised concerns about who will lead Haiti in Henry’s place as the crisis continues to grow.