Haiti has been in a state of crisis for quite a while now. Gang wars have been erupting and killings and kidnappings are frequent in the capital Port-Au-Prince. But what is ironic, is the fact that a country that does not manufacture a single weapon, is flooded with guns! The ease of procuring guns in the US has a large role to play.

Gravitas: Haitian gangs illegally procure weapons from US

The Caribbean nation of Haiti has been held hostage by armed gangs for over three weeks now. Taking advantage of prime minister Ariel Henry's absence late last month, multiple armed groups launched coordinated attacks on key facilities including police stations, police academies & the international airport. Under mounting international pressure and stranded in Puerto Rico, the Prime Minister Ariel Henry pledged to step down once a transition council and an interim prime minister is appointed.

Haitian political future hangs in limbo | World at War

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<p>The first charter flight carrying American citizens fleeing violence-hit Haiti landed in Miami on Sunday (Mar 17). In a statement, US State Department officials said that more than 30 Americans were on the flight which landed at the Miami International Airport. The officials added that government officials in Miami were helping the evacuees to determine their next steps.</p>

<p>The State Department announced on Saturday that it would offer limited charter flights for American citizens from the less chaotic northern city of Cap-Haïtien. People boarding these flights must sign a promissory bill agreeing to reimburse the government.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/haiti-crisis-proposal-to-install-new-govt-rejected-by-some-political-parties-700066">Haiti crisis: Proposal to install new govt rejected by some political parties</a></strong></p>

<p>The main airport in Haiti's capital city Port-au-Prince remains closed since gang attacks started in the country in&nbsp;February.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'It's just terrible...'</strong></h2>

<p>Speaking to the American daily Miami Herald, evacuee Avlot Quessa said, "It’s just terrible ... The suffering, you can only imagine." Quessa, who lives in Boston, was in Haiti's Hinche last month for what was supposed to be a weeklong trip to visit his mother. However, he ended up staying for over 20 days.</p>

<p>“Haiti is my homeland and it’s very stressful to see the homeland going through this act of violence, destruction ... and they are our neighbours,” Quessa added.</p>

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<p>Sixty-nine-year-old Marie Lucie St. Fleur, another passenger on the flight, said she felt most at home in Haiti and was sad to see what her homeland was going through. “I don’t feel well at all. I would like to live in my country and I can’t,” she said.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Tensions rise in Haiti</strong></h2>

<p>The news of Ariel Henry resigning as Haitian prime minister brought relative calm in the country as this was the biggest demand of the gangs. However, an interim government has not been appointed yet and attacks are being reported in the country again.</p>

<p>Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, who is leading the gang rebellion, said last week that Henry's resignation was just "the&nbsp;first step in the battle" for Haiti. Henry was supposed to step down on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His resignation is pending the appointment of an interim replacement chosen by a transition council. But, the members of the council are yet to be decided.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The first charter flight carrying American citizens fleeing violence-hit Haiti landed in Miami on Sunday (Mar 17). In a statement, US State Department officials said that more than 30 Americans were on the flight which landed at the Miami International Airport.

The first charter flight carrying American citizens fleeing violence-hit Haiti landed in Miami on Sunday (Mar 17). In a statement, US State Department officials said that more than 30 Americans were on the flight which landed at the Miami International Airport. The officials added that government officials in Miami were helping the evacuees to determine their next steps. The State Department announced on Saturday that it would offer limited charter flights for American citizens from the less chaotic northern city of Cap-Haïtien. People boarding these flights must sign a promissory bill agreeing to reimburse the government. Also read | Haiti crisis: Proposal to install new govt rejected by some political parties The main airport in Haiti's capital city Port-au-Prince remains closed since gang attacks started in the country in February. 'It's just terrible...' Speaking to the American daily Miami Herald, evacuee Avlot Quessa said, "It’s just terrible ... The suffering, you can only imagine." Quessa, who lives in Boston, was in Haiti's Hinche last month for what was supposed to be a weeklong trip to visit his mother. However, he ended up staying for over 20 days. “Haiti is my homeland and it’s very stressful to see the homeland going through this act of violence, destruction ... and they are our neighbours,” Quessa added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WION (@wionews) × Sixty-nine-year-old Marie Lucie St. Fleur, another passenger on the flight, said she felt most at home in Haiti and was sad to see what her homeland was going through. “I don’t feel well at all. I would like to live in my country and I can’t,” she said. Tensions rise in Haiti The news of Ariel Henry resigning as Haitian prime minister brought relative calm in the country as this was the biggest demand of the gangs. However, an interim government has not been appointed yet and attacks are being reported in the country again. Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, who is leading the gang rebellion, said last week that Henry's resignation was just "the first step in the battle" for Haiti. Henry was supposed to step down on Monday. His resignation is pending the appointment of an interim replacement chosen by a transition council. But, the members of the council are yet to be decided. (With inputs from agencies)

First charter flight carrying Americans fleeing violence-hit Haiti lands in Miami

Jimmy Cherizier, the elite police officer-turned-gang leader known as “Barbecue,” has risen through Haiti’s political vacuum to become one of the country’s most powerful men...the island country is in chaos due to the recent developments. Watch to know more!

Haiti gang violence: Haiti healthcare system on the verge of collapse; doctors murdered

<p>There is relative calm in violence-hit Haiti after Ariel Henry announced he would resign as the prime minister. After the announcement a&nbsp;proposal was put up to install a new government in the&nbsp;Caribbean nation. However, the plan&nbsp;appeared to be crumbling on Wednesday (Mar 13) as some political parties rejected the proposal to create a presidential council that would manage the transition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a report by the news agency Associated Press, former senator&nbsp;Jean Charles Moïse told reporters that he rejected the&nbsp;proposed council backed by the international community which would select an interim prime minister and a council of ministers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Moïse insisted that a three-person presidential council he recently created with former rebel leader Guy Philippe and a Haitian judge should be implemented.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-administration-weighs-using-guantanamo-bay-for-haitian-migrant-influx-699865">Biden administration weighs using Guantanamo Bay for Haitian migrant influx</a></strong></p>

<p>Philippe, who helped lead a successful revolt in 2004 against former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, said on Tuesday that no Haitian should&nbsp;accept any proposal from the international community.</p>

<p>He accused the community of being&nbsp;complicit with Haiti’s elite and corrupt politicians and urged citizens to take to the streets. Some other high-profile politicians who rejected the proposal included&nbsp;Himmler Rébu, a former colonel of the country's army.</p>

<p>Rébu is also the president of the Grand Rally for the Evolution of Haiti, a party that is part of a coalition awarded a spot on the transitional council. In a statement,&nbsp;Rébu said that his party preferred that a judge from the Supreme Court assume the reins of power.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Amid escalating violence in Haiti, PM resigns</strong></p>

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<p>The above developments come as Henry remains locked out of Haiti as gangs, who had been calling to overthrow his government, closed the country's airports. Henry is currently in&nbsp;Puerto Rico.</p>

<p>The latest gang attacks started on February 29 when Henry was in Kenya to push for a United Nations (UN)-backed deployment of a Kenyan police force. The deployment has been temporarily suspended.</p>

<p>Between February 27 and March 8, over 130 people were killed in Haiti, officials told the news agency, adding that&nbsp;40 gang members were killed between February 29&nbsp;and March 10.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


There is relative calm in violence-hit Haiti after Ariel Henry announced he would resign as the prime minister. After the announcement a proposal was put up to install a new government in the Caribbean nation.

There is relative calm in violence-hit Haiti after Ariel Henry announced he would resign as the prime minister. After the announcement a proposal was put up to install a new government in the Caribbean nation. However, the plan appeared to be crumbling on Wednesday (Mar 13) as some political parties rejected the proposal to create a presidential council that would manage the transition. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press, former senator Jean Charles Moïse told reporters that he rejected the proposed council backed by the international community which would select an interim prime minister and a council of ministers. Moïse insisted that a three-person presidential council he recently created with former rebel leader Guy Philippe and a Haitian judge should be implemented. Also read | Biden administration weighs using Guantanamo Bay for Haitian migrant influx Philippe, who helped lead a successful revolt in 2004 against former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, said on Tuesday that no Haitian should accept any proposal from the international community. He accused the community of being complicit with Haiti’s elite and corrupt politicians and urged citizens to take to the streets. Some other high-profile politicians who rejected the proposal included Himmler Rébu, a former colonel of the country's army. Rébu is also the president of the Grand Rally for the Evolution of Haiti, a party that is part of a coalition awarded a spot on the transitional council. In a statement, Rébu said that his party preferred that a judge from the Supreme Court assume the reins of power. Also watch | Amid escalating violence in Haiti, PM resigns × The above developments come as Henry remains locked out of Haiti as gangs, who had been calling to overthrow his government, closed the country's airports. Henry is currently in Puerto Rico. The latest gang attacks started on February 29 when Henry was in Kenya to push for a United Nations (UN)-backed deployment of a Kenyan police force. The deployment has been temporarily suspended. Between February 27 and March 8, over 130 people were killed in Haiti, officials told the news agency, adding that 40 gang members were killed between February 29 and March 10. (With inputs from agencies)

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The UN agency, the World Food Programme (WFP), will not be able to feed 100,000 Haitians this month due to a lack of resources to address the country's growing humanitarian needs. The WFP declared on Monday that Haitians suffering from severe malnutrition will have to cope without essential food and financial support during the worst food crisis the nation has ever experienced.

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