A Haitian gang leader, Jimmy Cherizier, known as ‘Barbecue,’ issued a stark warning of potential ‘civil war and genocide’ unless the country’s prime minister, Ariel Henry, resigns.
Cherizier’s remarks came amid challenges for Henry to return home, as the main airport faced attacks and neighboring Dominican Republic refused permission for his landing. Henry, who was supposed to step down last month, was out of the country when armed criminal gangs launched a coordinated assault to remove him, prompting concerns about Haiti’s stability.
‘If Ariel Henry doesn’t resign, if the international community continues to support him, we’ll be heading straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide,’ stated Cherizier, a former police officer, during a press conference in the capital. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, asserting that Haiti must either become a paradise or face turmoil.
Cherizier, who is under UN sanctions for human rights violations, claimed responsibility for the recent surge in attacks in Haiti, a nation plagued by conflict. Last year saw a drastic increase in violence, with over 8,400 people reported killed, injured, or kidnapped, highlighting the deteriorating situation.
The escalating crisis has prompted calls for international intervention, with Dan Foote, the US envoy to Haiti, advocating for urgent action. Foote emphasized the urgent need for intervention, stressing that Haiti’s situation has reached a critical point.
Meanwhile, Henry’s attempts to return home faced obstacles, as he was denied entry into neighboring Dominican Republic. However, reports suggested that his plane briefly landed in nearby Puerto Rico on Tuesday evening, highlighting the challenges Henry faces in his efforts to navigate the crisis.
‘I don’t know if he’s still in Puerto Rico,’ Sheila Anglero told AFP by telephone.
Jean Tholbert Alexis, an official from Henry’s government, said on X on Wednesday that the Dominican decision not to allow the prime minister’s plane to land was an unprecedented ‘diplomatic blunder.’
In power since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, Henry was due to step down in February but instead agreed to a power-sharing deal with the opposition until new elections are held.
