Haiti Gang Leader Warns of 'Civil War' Should PM Not Resign

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Haiti’s gang leader, Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, has issued a warning that the nation might be plunged into a ‘civil war’ if Prime Minister Ariel Henry refuses to resign. Chérizier’s threat comes as members of his gang attempt to take over the capital’s airport to prevent Henry from returning to Haiti.

Threats and Violence Escalating

The situation in Haiti has been described as “beyond untenable” by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. Thousands of Haitians have been displaced due to the escalating violence. Aid groups estimate that around 15,000 people, including many young children, have been uprooted from their homes in recent weeks.

Türk revealed a staggering statistic, stating that since the start of the year, “1,193 people have been killed, and 692 others injured by gang violence.” He called on the international community to act swiftly and decisively to prevent Haiti’s further descent into chaos.

US Calls for Swift Transition

The United States has urged PM Henry to facilitate a speedy transition. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller recommended a transition to prepare for a multinational security support mission and to pave the way for free and fair elections. While the US wants Henry to make concessions in the interest of the Haitian people, Miller clarified that the US is not pushing for Henry’s resignation.

PM Henry’s Uncertain Location

Uncertainty surrounded PM Henry’s whereabouts for several days until he was seen boarding a charter flight in New Jersey. His original plan was to land in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. However, the closure of the airport due to gang attempts to seize it, and the Dominican Republic’s refusal to allow the plane to land, led the pilot to land in Puerto Rico instead. Haitian media reports suggest that Henry is now seeking alternative routes back into the country as diplomatic pressure on him to agree to a transitional government mounts.

Rising Tension in Haiti

Tension continues to escalate in Haiti. Gang leader Chérizier warned that “if Ariel Henry does not resign … we’ll be heading straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide.” Chérizier’s G9 alliance has been responsible for a wave of violence, including attacks on police stations and storming the country’s two main prisons. This culminated in a mass jailbreak on Saturday, resulting in thousands of inmates escaping.