CARICOM Leaders Meet As Chaos Reigns In Haiti

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders and international stakeholders were meeting in Jamaica on Monday to discuss Haiti’s deteriorating security and humanitarian crisis. CARICOM Chairman, Guyana President Dr. Irfaan Ali, said the Haiti situation remains dire and is of serious concern. Ali disclosed that CARICOM Heads of Government remain engaged in ‘deep discussion’ with the various stakeholders in Haiti and the country’s Prime Minister, Ariel Henry. Armed groups in Haiti are attempting to force Henry’s resignation. The Haitian Prime Minister has been stranded in Puerto Rico since last week, unable to return home as increasing violence has left Haitians struggling to secure food and water. Henry has been in power since shortly after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. The United States backed him in a power-sharing agreement designed to bring new elections to Haiti as soon as possible, but election promises still need to be met. Over the weekend, the United States flew a team of marines into Haiti as the security situation around the U.S. Embassy deteriorated, and nonessential embassy staff were airlifted out of the country. “Whilst we are making considerable progress, the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be,” President Ali explained ahead...