Haiti’s prime minister to resign amid growing violence

Prime Minister Ariel Henry said on Monday that he would step down once a transitional council is established, according to a video statement his office shared on social media. His statement followed a meeting in Jamaica between Caribbean leaders and international representatives, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The meeting attendees agreed to establish a transitional government comprising seven voting members who will appoint an interim prime minister and facilitate a national election.

Why isn’t Henry in Haiti now? Henry was in Kenya in late February to sign a deal with Kenyan President William Ruto to deploy 1,000 troops to Haiti. Henry has been in Puerto Rico since last week after gangs tried to storm the main airport in Port-au-Prince, preventing him from entering the country.

What has contributed to the danger in Haiti? Gangs have increased violent attacks in recent weeks, calling for Henry to step down. In response, the government established a monthlong state of emergency last week. Meanwhile, Blinken on Monday said the United States would contribute $200 million to deploy a multinational force to Haiti, as well as an additional $33 million in humanitarian aid. 

Dig deeper: Listen to Mary Muncy’s report on The World and Everything in It podcast about one missionary staying in Haiti last year, even as the country crumbled.