Haiti’s prime minister is locked out of his country and faces pressure to resign

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry is grappling with mounting pressure to resign amidst escalating turmoil in his country, compounded by gang attacks that have disrupted essential services and freed over 4,000 inmates recently.

Stranded in Puerto Rico after being denied entry to the Dominican Republic due to airspace restrictions, Henry faces an uncertain future as calls for his resignation grow louder.

Henry, a 74-year-old neurosurgeon trained in France, entered Haitian politics in the early 2000s, initially opposing President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Following Aristide's ousting, he played various roles in the transitional government and held key positions in health and domestic policy.

His ascent to prime minister followed the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, positioning him to oversee a tumultuous period marked by gang violence and political instability.

Critics argue that Henry's appointment lacks legitimacy, given his non-elected status and perceived alignment with international interests, notably the Core Group, which tacitly endorsed his leadership following Moïse's death.

Henry has repeatedly resisted calls to step down, emphasizing the need for unity and dialogue amid escalating violence and delayed elections. However, his efforts to establish a transition council and commit to future elections have been stymied by persistent security challenges.

Recent developments, including gang attacks coinciding with Henry's diplomatic trips abroad and his unexpected detour to Puerto Rico, underscore the precariousness of his position.

As international pressure mounts and domestic unrest escalates, Henry's fate remains uncertain, with the U.N. Security Council convening to address the crisis and urge concessions from the embattled prime minister.