Haiti very close to falling into
“
civil war
”
.
“
Either Haiti becomes a paradise for all of us, or (the country becomes) hell for all of us
,”
thundered former police officer turned gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, nicknamed
“
Barbecue
.
”
The country, which is among the poorest in the world, has been the prey of violent riots in recent days.
Criminal gangs, which control the majority of the capital Port-au-Prince and the main roads that wind through the territory, have attacked a police academy, airports and even several prisons in recent days, allowing the escape of several thousand of prisoners.
Armed groups are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, in power since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and who should have left office at the beginning of February.
Faced with this escalation, the UN Security Council met urgently on March 6.
“
The situation is critical ,
”
commented Ecuadorian Ambassador José Javier De la Gasca Lopez Dominguez after the meeting.
In the midst of a state of emergency and nighttime curfew, while administrations and schools remain closed, many try to flee the violence with their few belongings under their arms, the others only venturing out to buy the essential.
The escalation in recent days has forced 15,000 people to flee their homes in Port-au-Prince, according to the UN, which has started distributing food and basic necessities to them.
The country, currently without a president or parliament, has not had an election since 2016.