Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry, 74, resigns following emergency summit of Caribbean leaders, says president of Guyana – after gangs warned of civil war and ‘genocide’ if he did not step down amid bloody uprising

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By Maya Cantina

  • The 74-year-old head of state tendered his resignation Monday, a week after the growing coalition of gangs warned of civil war if he did not step down
  • His resignation was swiftly confirmed by Guyana’s president Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the current chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
  • As gangs across the Caribbean country continue to unite, thousands have had fled their homes, and politicians across the region are scrambling for a solution 

Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry has resigned, following an emergency summit called to address gang-led violence currently occurring in the country.

The 74-year-old head of state tendered his resignation Monday, a week after the growing coalition of gangs warned of civil war if he did not step down.

His resignation was swiftly confirmed by Guyana’s president Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the current chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The coalition called the emergency meeting as gangs across the Caribbean country continue to unite, shooting up government buildings and foreign embassies.

As a result, thousands have had fled their homes, and locals continue to report the overwhelming stench of the dead. Meanwhile, politicians across the region are scrambling for a solution – one that may now be in sight following Henry’s removal.

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The 74-year-old head of state tendered his resignation Monday, a week after the growing coalition of gangs warned of civil war if he did not step down

His resignation was confirmed by Guyana’s president Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the current chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). He is seen her with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness

His resignation was confirmed by Guyana’s president Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the current chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). He is seen her with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness

The coalition called the emergency meeting as gangs across the Caribbean country continue to unite, shooting up government buildings and foreign embassies. The leader of the alliance of gangs, former police officer Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier, is seen in Port-au-Prince Monday

The coalition called the emergency meeting as gangs across the Caribbean country continue to unite, shooting up government buildings and foreign embassies. The leader of the alliance of gangs, former police officer Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Cherizier, is seen in Port-au-Prince Monday

‘We acknowledge his resignation upon the establishment of a transitional presidential council and naming of an interim prime minister,’ Ali said, thanking Henry –  who came to power unelected after the assassination of Haiti’s previous president –  for his service.

The decision, said to have been made Friday, came shortly before the US deployed Marines to evacuate its embassy as gangs led by former police officer Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Cherizier continue to attack state institutions.

Henry, at the moment, remains unable to return home, stranded in Puerto Rico since Tuesday after officials deemed it unsafe for him to land in neighboring Dominican Republic.

On Saturday, the office of Dominican President Luis Abinader issued a statement explaining that decision – saying ‘Henry is not welcome in the Dominican Republic for safety reasons.’ 

That decision came shortly after another that saw the Caribbean nation close its land border with its embattled neighbor, seemingly leaving the other side of Hispaniola to its fate.

With Henry out of the country, gangs across the region coalesced under Cherizier to from a sort of anti-government militia, waging war on his administration after he failed to step down  in February.

The group had been hellbent on rallying support for a Kenya-led foreign police intervention that they said would have restored order enough so that a new round of elections could be held.

That said, officials on Monday did not name a replacement for the world leader – saying only that CARICOM is now taking on the task of meeting the ‘immediate needs’ of Haitian people.

The decision, said to have been made Friday, came shortly before the US deployed Marines to evacuate its embassy as gangs led by the former police officer - seen here Monday - continue to wage war on state institutions

The decision, said to have been made Friday, came shortly before the US deployed Marines to evacuate its embassy as gangs led by the former police officer – seen here Monday – continue to wage war on state institutions

The group had been hellbent on rallying support for a Kenya-led foreign police intervention that they said would have restored order enough so that a new round of elections could be held, killing anyone who stands in their way

The group had been hellbent on rallying support for a Kenya-led foreign police intervention that they said would have restored order enough so that a new round of elections could be held, killing anyone who stands in their way

Officials on Monday did not name a replacement for the world leader - saying only that CARICOM is now taking on the task of meeting the 'immediate needs' of Haitian people

Officials on Monday did not name a replacement for the world leader – saying only that CARICOM is now taking on the task of meeting the ‘immediate needs’ of Haitian people

With Henry currently out of the country, gangs coalesced under Cherizier to from a sort of anti-government militia, waging war on his administration after he failed to step down in February

With Henry currently out of the country, gangs coalesced under Cherizier to from a sort of anti-government militia, waging war on his administration after he failed to step down in February

That decision also came shortly after another that saw the Caribbean nation close its land border with its embattled neighbor, seemingly leaving the other side of Hispaniola to its fate

That decision also came shortly after another that saw the Caribbean nation close its land border with its embattled neighbor, seemingly leaving the other side of Hispaniola to its fate

The situation has seen thousands flee their homes, as locals continue to report the overwhelming stench of the dead. Meanwhile, politicians across the region are scrambling for a solution - one that may now be in sight following Henry's removal

The situation has seen thousands flee their homes, as locals continue to report the overwhelming stench of the dead. Meanwhile, politicians across the region are scrambling for a solution – one that may now be in sight following Henry’s removal

More to follow… 

ᴀʀᴛɪᴄʟᴇ ꜱᴏᴜʀᴄᴇ

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