The United States (U.S) has denied exerting pressure on Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign amidst a surge of violence and escalating instability in the Caribbean nation.
Speaking during a news conference on 6th March 2024, U.S State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington is “not calling on (Henry) the prime minister or pushing for him to resign”.
Miller clarified that the U.S is urging Henry “to expedite the transition to an empowered and inclusive governance structure that will help the country to prepare for the multinational security mission and eventually for elections.
His remarks follow a report by the Miami Herald early on 6th March 2024, indicating that the State Department had requested Henry to consent to a fresh transitional government and resign amid the growing crisis in Haiti.
He further stated that the mission, supported by the United Nations but facing months of delay, will focus on “tackling the security situation and laying the groundwork for transparent and democratic elections” in Haiti.
The United States also said it is not helping Henry return home.
“We are not providing any assistance to help the prime minister return to Haiti,” White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said.
Haitian gangs have warned that a civil war will accrue if Henry does not resign, and countries continue to back him.
Also Read: Haiti Declares State of Emergency After Prison Break
Haiti Prime Minister Whereabouts Known
Henry is said to have landed in the US territory of Puerto Rico on Tuesday 5th March 2024 after days of speculation about his whereabouts.
Following Henry’s visit to Kenya, the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, has witnessed a surge in coordinated gang assaults targeting law enforcement and governmental establishments.
The prime minister earlier flew to Kenya to secure a proposed leadership of a long-delayed U.N ratified security mission he first requested in 2022 to help fight the increasingly powerful gangs.
With no fixed deployment date established, uncertainties persist regarding staffing and operational procedures for the mission.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S ambassador to the UN said Washington hoped “that action will take place quickly.”
Also Read: Gunfire at Haiti Airport Hours After Ruto Meeting with Prime Minister
Gang Leader Threatens Civil War
On March 2nd, 2024, armed groups razed police stations and facilitated the escape of numerous detainees from two largest prisons.
The gang leader, Jimmy Cherizier alias Barbeque framed the violence as an endeavor to overthrow Henry’s administration.
Cherizier further claimed responsibility for the attacks and issued a stark warning of intensified repercussions if the international community persists in its support for Henry.
