The US has called on Haiti’s embattled prime minister to expedite a “transition” as gangs threaten to take control of the Caribbean country.
Ariel Henry is currently in Puerto Rico, apparently unable or unwilling to return to Haiti as gangs regularly attack the airport and police stations.
“We are not calling on him or pushing for him to resign, but we are urging him to expedite the transition,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on Wednesday.
Henry, who assumed power with the backing of the US following the assassination of president Jovenel Moïse in 2021, last week pledged to hold elections by the end of August next year.
On Tuesday gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier threatened a “civil war” if Henry does not step down.