March 16, 2024 (EIRNS)—There has been no letup in gang violence in the Haitian capital following the announced resignation of de facto Prime Minister Ariel Henry and the creation of a transitional presidential council that will replace him. His resignation won’t be official until the council’s membership is complete and an interim prime minister is named. Meanwhile, the downtown area of Port-au-Prince is still under siege and gangs have attacked several neighborhoods with gunfire, burning houses, looting, etc.
Today was the deadline for designated members to name their representatives but bickering is still going on. The Petit Desalin Party pulled out altogether, as it prefers to back Guy Phillipe, a former Senator and convicted money-launderer who wants to run for President. Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, head of the violent Viv Ansanm gang coalition, says he will not accept the presidential council or any government that comes out of it. “Now our fight will enter another phase—to overthrow the whole system,” he told Al Jazeera.
