Understanding Haiti’s Latest Political Crisis

FEATURING JOCELYN MCCALLA - Weeks of chaos and violence in Haiti may be coming to an end as an agreement for a transitional government is drawn up this week. Haiti’s political parties and numerous stakeholding civil society groups have coalesced around the idea of a 9-member council that will remain in power for 22 months before elections can be held for a new president. 

The current crisis peaked when violence broke out across Haiti, prompting Haitian President Ariel Henry to announce his resignation in response to pressure from the United States. He had been in Kenya, on the verge of authorizing a thousand Kenyan forces to deploy to Haiti to tackle political violence. Mr. Henry had taken over the presidency from Jovenel Moïse who was assassinated in 2021. 

Many Haitians are desperate to flee the violence but face hostile politicians such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who has deployed National Guardsmen to the southern part of his state.