Haiti Violence 2024: PM Ariel Henry resigns as country descends into political, security turbulence

Amid escalating chaos in Haiti, the nation’s Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, has resigned, said regional leaders on March 11, 2024. The leader assumed an unelected role in 2021 after the assassination of the country’s last president Jovenel Moise. Henry’s resignation was announced by officials of the regional bloc CARICOM on March 11, 2024.

Guyana’s leader and current CARICOM president, Irfaan Ali, as per an international media agency had confirmed the resignation, stating, “We acknowledge the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry upon the establishment of a transnational presidential council and the naming of an interim Prime Minister

This announcement follows CARICOM (the Caribbean Community and Common Market) meeting in the Jamaican capital of Kingston on March 11, 2024. The regional bloc of twenty-five country, which works on economic integration, security and social development as per a report from international media agency, held talks and focused on establishing a transitional council to facilitate Haiti’s first elections since 2016.

As per the report citing a US State Department official, Henry was involved in virtual discussions with CARICOM. The Caribbean nation has been facing several challenges including attacks by heavily armed gangs on government structures and infrastructure. The situation in Haiti has been increasingly unstable with widespread violence and insecurity.

On March 3, 2024, Haiti declared a state of emergency after clashes disrupted communications and resulted tin two massive prison breaks. All of this occurred after Haiti gang leader Jimmy Cherizier also called Barbecue declared a plan to unify and removed unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry from power.

No elections have been held in the country since 2016 and with the presidency vacant the protestors have demanded Henry’s resignation as per a political agreement requiring polls and his transfer of power to newly elected officials by February 7, 2022.

However, last month, Henry delayed the scheduled elections saying they could not be held until it was safe to do so. His decision served only to further enrage protestors who had for months demanded that he stand down as the country further slipped into poverty and gang violence.