Haiti

Haiti awoke Tuesday stripped of its last democratically elected institution — this time, its Senate — an alarming development that solidifies what some call a de facto dictatorship nominally in charge of a country wracked by gang violence.

Criminal gangs are wreaking havoc in Haiti, nudging public opinion toward accepting the idea of an international force that would help restore security. Outside powers should prepare a mission only with solid backing from the country’s politicians, including their pledges to form a transitional government.

Amid continuing gang warfare and a vacuum of law and order, Haiti is “on the verge of an abyss” said the UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Thursday, warning that any hope of a sustainable recovery requires “urgent and sustained action” to tackle the root causes of the overlapping crises afflicting the island nation.

The United States and Mexico said Monday they are preparing a U.N. resolution that would authorize an international mission to help improve security in Haiti, whose government issued a “distress call” for the people of the crisis-wracked nation. … The U.S. ambassador said the proposed “non-U.N.” mission would be limited in time and scope and be led by “a partner country” that was not named “with the deep, necessary experience required for such an effort to be effective.” It would have a mandate to use military force if necessary.

[…] The current situation in Haiti demonstrates the extent to which political, security, development and humanitarian dimensions are intertwined and mutually reinforcing. Armed gangs have thrived in this environment, increasing their strength and influence. In recent weeks, a dramatic deterioration in security

The United Nations Secretary-General is urging the international community to respond to a request from Haiti’s government and urgently consider sending an international specialized armed force to the Caribbean Island nation to address spiraling insecurity and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

The United Nations is calling for a humanitarian corridor to allow fuel to leave Haiti’s main terminal in Port-au-Prince, where an outbreak of cholera and surging gang violence have raised international concern.

The United Nations mission in Haiti has been cut down to a minimum after all non-essential workers were instructed to evacuate the violence-torn Caribbean nation. The announcement came two months after the UN Security Council voted to extend the mission's presence for at least another year.

Haiti’s foreign minister urged the U.N. Security Council Monday to sanction criminal gangs fueling violence and chaos in his country. … Mexico and the United States are working on a draft resolution to sanction the gangs who have been seeking to exploit a political vacuum since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise at his home in the capital on July 7, 2021.

Senior leaders have called for calm after days of violent anti-government protests in Haiti. Protesters are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, after an end to government fuel subsidies caused petrol and diesel prices to skyrocket.