Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry Steps Down As Conditions Worsen In The Country

Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry has announced his resignation as the crisis in the country escalates.

On Monday, Henry announced his resignation in a video, stating that he would exit office once his administration can establish a transitional council and their inauguration is completed, per CNN.

Henry has been stuck in Puerto Rico as the violence escalates. Days ago, the embattled leader visited Kenya, where he signed an agreement with their government to send 1,000 officers to Haiti to help restore order. However, when it was time to return, Henry could not fly to Haiti, as the airport in the capital, Port-au-Prince, had been compromised by the violence. He then attempted to travel home via the Dominican Republic, though their government refused to allow Henry’s plane to land there, leaving him stuck in U.S. territory.

Henry was placed into office in 2021 following the assassination of then-president Jovenel Moïse. However, the decision was made without a standard election, which enraged residents. Henry also refused to hold elections in 2023, claiming it could be compromised due to conditions in Haiti, which only intensified the unrest. The United States has also been involved in trying to restore the government in the country and supports Henry stepping down. The Kenyan-led mission will receive $300 million from the U.S., and another $33 million will be used to help Haitian residents.

Thousands of residents have been forced to flee their homes as gang violence and attacks on the government continue in Port-au-Prince. Gangs had warned of civil war and genocide if Henry didn’t leave office.