The United States is urging Haiti's acting prime minister and president, Ariel Henry, to step aside and establish a transitional council in preparation for new elections. Henry recently arrived in Puerto Rico following speculation about his whereabouts. Port-au-Prince has been engulfed in chaos since last week, with a series of coordinated gang attacks targeting police stations, government facilities, and even a prison. One gang leader has directly challenged the unpopular Henry.
The situation in Haiti is characterized by widespread lawlessness, with gangs seizing control of the country in the absence of the prime minister. These criminal groups, involved in drug and arms trafficking, have effectively prevented Henry from returning to Haiti by threatening to take over the airport. The primary demand from the gang leader known as Barbecue is the holding of elections, reflecting the sentiments of many Haitians who have been awaiting promised elections since Henry assumed power two and a half years ago without a formal vote.
