A political crisis in Haiti has turned into an early foreign-policy test for the Biden administration as the U.S. State Department appeared to back President Jovenel Moïse’s move to remain in power for another year despite calls from human rights organizations for him to step down.
Moïse has ruled by decree for over a year now after dissolving the country’s parliament. He was elected to a five-year term in 2016 but didn’t take office until the following year. He says the clock on his term began only in 2017 and that he’s therefore entitled to serve until February 2022. The moved sparked anti-government protests led by opposition groups.
