Haiti is plunged into further turmoil as Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amidst escalating chaos and gang violence. Former North Miami Mayor Phillipe Bien-Aime paints a grim picture, describing the streets as complete chaos with worsening conditions by the hour.
Miami-Dade’s Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava is taking urgent steps, sending a letter to President Biden requesting a multi-agency briefing. The aim is to coordinate efforts among federal agencies, given the significant Haitian community in the county. The proposed agenda includes discussions on international airport closures, shortages of food and water, and the U.S. Southern Command’s plan to mobilize support for the beleaguered Haitian National Police.
Mayor Bien-Aime emphasizes the dire situation in Haiti, stressing the urgent need for stable leadership, essential supplies, and a coordinated response to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.
In the midst of this turmoil, South Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is calling for political change in Haiti. As violence surges, she urges Prime Minister Ariel Henry to relinquish power to a transitional government. Cherfilus-McCormick, the Co-Chair of the Haiti Caucus, reveals alarming statistics, citing nearly five thousand murders and two thousand kidnappings in Haiti last year alone.
The situation has prompted the U.S. Embassy in Haiti to evacuate non-essential staff, highlighting the severity of the security risks. With reported ties between Haitian gang leaders and Russia, Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick warns of broader implications for the United States.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is engaging with Caribbean leaders during a Caribbean Community meeting in Jamaica, discussing the urgency of a transition of power in Haiti. Cherfilus-McCormick asserts that Prime Minister Henry’s inability to stabilize the country necessitates a handover of power to a transitional consensus government.
As Haiti grapples with an increasingly uncontrollable situation, the international community faces a pressing need to intervene and address the multifaceted challenges, both for the nation and its potential repercussions beyond its borders.
