https://theconversation.com/how-haiti-became-a-failed-state-225116
"The US military started airlifting embassy staff out of Haiti overnight as the
Caribbean island descends further into chaos. Rival gangs have joined forces to
overrun the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince, in an attempt to force the
resignation of the acting president, Ariel Henry.
The gang leader behind the violence, Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, has warned
there will be a “civil war that will lead to genocide” if Henry does not step
down.
Over the past week, Haiti’s gangs have carried out a series of coordinated
attacks on prisons and police stations, breaking more than 3,800 criminals out
of Haiti’s two biggest jails, while also laying siege to the country’s port and
airport.
Haiti is already facing a humanitarian crisis. It is among the poorest
countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, with 90% of the population living
below the poverty line. And following the recent wave of violence, around
15,000 people who were already housed in internal displacement camps have been
forced to leave again.
Henry came to power in 2021 under a deal agreed with the opposition following
the assassination of Haiti’s president, Jovenel Moïse. Henry is widely
considered illegitimate by the Haitian public and was due to stand down by
February 7. But he seems to be extending his stay.
The country last went to the polls in 2016 and there is no timetable for new
elections. Over the past six years, the Haitian parliament has ground to a
halt: no major laws have been passed and only one budget was voted on.
The regime is weak and lacks control over the country’s territories, leading to
a situation where Haiti finds itself hostage to its criminal gangs. US
officials have said they will not pressure Henry to leave, but they are urging
him to facilitate the transition to a democratic government."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
