Haitian gang leader Jimmy Cherizier has issued a warning of civil war and genocide unless Prime Minister Ariel Henry steps down. The gangs, who control large parts of the country, launched a coordinated assault to remove Henry while he was out of the country. Henry was reported to be in Puerto Rico after the Dominican Republic denied his plane permission to land.
Cherizier, a former police officer known as Barbecue, stated that Haiti faces either becoming a paradise or descending into hell. Gangs have opened fire on police and raided prisons, allowing thousands of inmates to escape. The government is struggling to maintain control, and many residents are fleeing the capital for safer areas.
Henry, who came to power following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, was supposed to step down in February to hold elections. However, the volatile situation has hindered the electoral process. Security forces are overwhelmed as gangs have expanded their reach.
At least 15,000 people have evacuated the worst-hit areas of Port-au-Prince, causing food shortages in other regions. The government has declared a state of emergency and a nighttime curfew. The UN Security Council has called a meeting to address the crisis, while countries in the region are urging their citizens to leave.
The situation in Haiti remains dire, with the risk of further violence and instability looming. The international community is closely monitoring the developments and assessing how best to support efforts to restore order and security in the country.
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