In Haiti, gangs are taking on another dimension and engaging in a struggle for political power.
They have plunged the country into escalation by imposing their rule in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and demanding the departure of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
The situation has worsened with these armed gangs attacking police substations, killing officers and freeing prisoners since the movement's launch on February 29.
Amidst this tension, one of the gang leaders, Jimmy Cherizier "Barbecue," has threatened the country with civil war that could lead to genocide if the prime minister does not resign.
Cherizier has faced a series of international sanctions since last year. Before becoming a gang leader, he was a policeman.
Since Sunday, the prime minister, who was returning from Kenya after signing a memorandum for the deployment of 1000 Kenyan police officers in the multinational mission for Haiti, has struggled to return home. For now, he is in Puerto Rico after Dominican authorities refused him entry on Monday.
No one knows when the Prime Minister might return to take his seat as head of government. Today, the gangs have become more powerful and may swell their ranks with several escaped prisoners.
With the escalation of gang violence, international flights to Haiti have been suspended. However, the government aims to restore order in this atmosphere of chaos where gangs reign supreme.
On March 7, the government extended the state of emergency it imposed after the prison escape for another month, and the curfew until March 10.
Public's trust in the authorities is at all-time low with widespread doubt about resumption of normalcy in the absence of the PM to steer the country through the unprecedented crisis. Several players of the Haitian opposition have given a negative assessment of the interim leader's 30-month reign.
The UN recorded nearly 5,000 people killed, injured and kidnapped in Haiti in 2023. The political landscape in the country remains uncertain, with no elections held since 2016.
The announcement of elections in August 2025 by Henry, during his participation in the Caricom summit, was rejected by several sectors in Haiti.
Despite efforts by Caribbean community leaders, no agreement has been reached among Haitian political actors.
Some believe that urgent and decisive action is necessary to protect the population and restore stability amidst the prevailing crisis.
Haiti faces numerous challenges, but unity and determination among all stakeholders will be crucial to overcome them.
Juhakenson Blais, The Haitian Times
