Haitian gangs are currently in a struggle with the Haitian government for power over their people. Haiti has been in a state of violence since 2018, and specifically gang related since 2021. Recently, two major developments have been made. The capital, Port Au Prince, is now 80% under the control of gangs, and the Haitian prime minister resigned..
Prime Minister Ariel Henry released a video in early March stating that he would be leaving office. Stating that, “Haiti needs peace, Haiti needs stability.” The resignation comes after Henry fell under heavy scrutiny for leaving Haiti to go to Kenya. It was later revealed he was in Kenya in search of aid from the Kenyan government.
“I also hear that the prime minister isn't even being let back in, he had to go through Puerto Rico after the Dominican Republic denied him access, and he's still not even in Haiti,” NHS senior Alex Steimel said.
Henry’s message revealed that his office will continue to be a caretaker for the country until a new prime minister and cabinet are assigned. After Henry’s visit to Kenya, their government agreed to send 1,000 officers to help subdue the violence, and the U.S. has sent Kenya $300 million to help with their efforts. However, Kenya has agreed to help set up a new government separate from Henry’s, and they apparently already have a government to collaborate with.
The struggle for power in Haiti has been ongoing for multiple years. Henry stepped into office in 2021, after the previous president was assassinated. Last year, Henry did not hold elections as he thought that the country's insecurity would compromise the vote. This issue further lowered approval of Henry, which was a major spark for the current riots.
“I really don't know why we haven't stepped in earlier, Haiti is close to the US, so we should be protecting it more closely,” NHS senior Matthew Tomaj said.
Besides the members of the government, the capital has also been under heavy fire. It is now 80% gang territory, and the largest prison in the area was broken into earlier this month, which freed around 3,500 inmates and killed multiple officers and guards.
One of the more prevalent hang leaders, nicknamed “Barbeque,” has stated that if Henry didn't step down, there will be a “civil war that will end in genocide.”
300,000 Haitian civilians have already been displaced as a cause of the gang violence and territory disputes.
Many are saying that the conflict could have never gone this far if foreign aid had been faster and stronger.
It has been over 18 months since Henry requested foreign aid, when gangs first took portions of the capital. The police are requesting assistance daily, but are worried that their efforts will end in nothing.
“But we don’t have any leadership, our equipment is falling apart, and we need air and marine support”, an advisor to the Haitian Police Union said.
Less than 50% of the Haitian police force have bulletproof vests, and the officers make under $300 a month. Their morale and motivation is low, and as gangs take more and more of the capital, police are unsure how long they can hold their ground.