Haiti's transition council on Tuesday (April 30) named Edgard Leblanc, the former senate president, to head the body instated last week as it seeks to bring security back to the violence-wracked Caribbean nation.

Leblanc's naming follows weeks of political deadlock and in-fighting following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry while an armed conflict surged in the capital, marking a difficult path ahead for the council.

The transitional body is formed by seven voting members and two non-voting observers. Leblanc won the nomination with four votes, including his own, in favour, though tensions were still evident in a ceremony announcing the decision.

The council also tapped Fritz Belizaire, former youth and sports minister, as prime minister.

Michel Patrick Boisvert, who served as finance minister under former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, has been filling the role on an interim basis. Belizaire's nomination must be confirmed by a declaration in&nbsp;Haiti's national gazette.

Per&nbsp;Haiti's constitution, the country should elect a new president by Feb. 7, 2026.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/world/haiti-pm-henry-resigns-as-transitional-council-takes-over-amid-gang-violence-715048" hreflang="en">Haiti PM Ariel Henry resigns as transitional council takes over amid gang violence</a>

Some of&nbsp;Haiti's most powerful gang leaders are threatening more violence if they are not allowed political sway.

In an interview with CNN published on Monday, Vitel'homme Innocent, who heads the Kraze Barye gang and is accused of orchestrating the 2021 kidnapping of U.S. missionaries, called for the council to listen to the gangs and find a resolution to the crisis "as soon as possible."

Kraze Barye forms part of a loose coalition of gangs known as Viv Ansanm, or "Live Together," who now control most of capital Port-au-Prince.

The coalition is demanding the future government grant them an amnesty for their crimes and create a plan for young gang members who may have been forced into joining, either under threat of violence or due to a lack of economic alternatives, Innocent told CNN.

Viv Ansanm's leader, a former police officer named Jimmy Cherizier who is known as "Barbeque," warned of consequences if the gangs were ignored, in a message shared to social media over the weekend.

"Viv Ansanm is ready to talk. It's either we are all at the table, or the table gets destroyed with all of us," he said.

According to U.N. estimates, more than one person was killed in&nbsp;Haiti&nbsp;gang violence every hour in the first three months of this year. There are also widespread reports of gangs using mass sexual violence, ransom kidnappings and torture to extort the population.

The gangs have expressed frustration with&nbsp;Haiti's ruling elite and had called for the resignation of Henry, who had been prime minister since 2021.

Henry became stranded outside the country after leaving to seek international support for a U.N.-backed security mission aimed at wresting back control from the gangs. He said in March he would step down once the council was in place.

Haiti's transition council on Tuesday (April 30) named Edgard Leblanc, the former senate president, to head the body instated last week as it seeks to bring security back to the violence-wracked Caribbean nation.

Haiti's transition council on Tuesday (April 30) named Edgard Leblanc, the former senate president, to head the body instated last week as it seeks to bring security back to the violence-wracked Caribbean nation. Leblanc's naming follows weeks of political deadlock and in-fighting following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry while an armed conflict surged in the capital, marking a difficult path ahead for the council. The transitional body is formed by seven voting members and two non-voting observers. Leblanc won the nomination with four votes, including his own, in favour, though tensions were still evident in a ceremony announcing the decision. The council also tapped Fritz Belizaire, former youth and sports minister, as prime minister. Michel Patrick Boisvert, who served as finance minister under former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, has been filling the role on an interim basis. Belizaire's nomination must be confirmed by a declaration in Haiti's national gazette. Per Haiti's constitution, the country should elect a new president by Feb. 7, 2026. Also read: Haiti PM Ariel Henry resigns as transitional council takes over amid gang violence Some of Haiti's most powerful gang leaders are threatening more violence if they are not allowed political sway. In an interview with CNN published on Monday, Vitel'homme Innocent, who heads the Kraze Barye gang and is accused of orchestrating the 2021 kidnapping of U.S. missionaries, called for the council to listen to the gangs and find a resolution to the crisis "as soon as possible." Kraze Barye forms part of a loose coalition of gangs known as Viv Ansanm, or "Live Together," who now control most of capital Port-au-Prince. The coalition is demanding the future government grant them an amnesty for their crimes and create a plan for young gang members who may have been forced into joining, either under threat of violence or due to a lack of economic alternatives, Innocent told CNN. Viv Ansanm's leader, a former police officer named Jimmy Cherizier who is known as "Barbeque," warned of consequences if the gangs were ignored, in a message shared to social media over the weekend. "Viv Ansanm is ready to talk. It's either we are all at the table, or the table gets destroyed with all of us," he said. According to U.N. estimates, more than one person was killed in Haiti gang violence every hour in the first three months of this year. There are also widespread reports of gangs using mass sexual violence, ransom kidnappings and torture to extort the population. The gangs have expressed frustration with Haiti's ruling elite and had called for the resignation of Henry, who had been prime minister since 2021. Henry became stranded outside the country after leaving to seek international support for a U.N.-backed security mission aimed at wresting back control from the gangs. He said in March he would step down once the council was in place.

Haiti transition council names Edgard Leblanc as president, gangs demand seat at the table

Amid the deepening crisis in the Caribbean island nation of Haiti stoked by gang violence,&nbsp;Prime Minister Ariel Henry landed in Puerto Rico on Tuesday (March 5). But his return to Haiti remains uncertain.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/haiti-gangs-try-to-seize-control-of-main-airport-in-port-au-prince-amid-new-attacks-on-govt-sites-696988">Haiti: Gangs try to seize control of main airport in Port-au-Prince amid new attacks on govt sites</a>

<h2>Haiti is in turmoil, so why was the PM in Kenya?</h2>

The purpose of Prime Minister Henry's trip to Kenya was to finalise a deal for the establishment of a UN-backed multinational security force aimed at combating escalating gang violence in Haiti.

But the initiative triggered unrest, with a prominent gang leader demanding his resignation and urging him to stay away from the country.

Meanwhile, reports surfaced that the Dominican Republic, sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, initially denied authorisation for Henry's plane to land. Although unconfirmed by Dominican officials, Puerto Rico's governor's office later confirmed his arrival in the capital, San Juan, Reuters reported.

Also watch |&nbsp;Why has Haiti declared a state of emergency?

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Haiti plunged into a state of emergency on Sunday (March 3)&nbsp;following two major prison breaks.

Recent days have witnessed intense gunfire near airports.

The United Nations' immigration office reported over the weekend that the violence had displaced at least 15,000 people, with armed gangs forcing residents out of their homes. The situation has led to a surge in migration from the capital to Artibonite, traditionally Haiti's breadbasket farming region, which now faces food shortages due to the expanding conflict.

Against this backdrop, neighbouring countries have withdrawn embassy staff and advised their citizens to leave the region. The Dominican Republic, with a historically complex relationship with Haiti, has strengthened its border security and declared it will not establish refugee camps for fleeing Haitians.

<h2>Limited international support for Haiti</h2>

International support for Haiti has been limited, with the UN authorising a security mission last year whose&nbsp;deployment date remains uncertain.

As of late February, only five nations had formally pledged troops, with less than $11 million deposited into the fund.

The UN&nbsp;estimates that the conflict has displaced around 300,000 people, with gangs responsible for nearly 5,000 deaths and almost 2,500 kidnappings last year.

Some kidnappers have reportedly used videos of rape and torture to extort costly ransoms from victims' friends and families.

(With inputs from agencies)

Amid the deepening crisis in the Caribbean island nation of Haiti stoked by gang violence, Prime Minister Ariel Henry landed in Puerto Rico on Tuesday (March 5).

Amid the deepening crisis in the Caribbean island nation of Haiti stoked by gang violence, Prime Minister Ariel Henry landed in Puerto Rico on Tuesday (March 5). But his return to Haiti remains uncertain. Also read | Haiti: Gangs try to seize control of main airport in Port-au-Prince amid new attacks on govt sites Haiti is in turmoil, so why was the PM in Kenya? The purpose of Prime Minister Henry's trip to Kenya was to finalise a deal for the establishment of a UN-backed multinational security force aimed at combating escalating gang violence in Haiti. But the initiative triggered unrest, with a prominent gang leader demanding his resignation and urging him to stay away from the country. Meanwhile, reports surfaced that the Dominican Republic, sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, initially denied authorisation for Henry's plane to land. Although unconfirmed by Dominican officials, Puerto Rico's governor's office later confirmed his arrival in the capital, San Juan, Reuters reported. Also watch | Why has Haiti declared a state of emergency? × Haiti plunged into a state of emergency on Sunday (March 3) following two major prison breaks. Recent days have witnessed intense gunfire near airports. The United Nations' immigration office reported over the weekend that the violence had displaced at least 15,000 people, with armed gangs forcing residents out of their homes. The situation has led to a surge in migration from the capital to Artibonite, traditionally Haiti's breadbasket farming region, which now faces food shortages due to the expanding conflict. Against this backdrop, neighbouring countries have withdrawn embassy staff and advised their citizens to leave the region. The Dominican Republic, with a historically complex relationship with Haiti, has strengthened its border security and declared it will not establish refugee camps for fleeing Haitians. Limited international support for Haiti International support for Haiti has been limited, with the UN authorising a security mission last year whose deployment date remains uncertain. As of late February, only five nations had formally pledged troops, with less than $11 million deposited into the fund. The UN estimates that the conflict has displaced around 300,000 people, with gangs responsible for nearly 5,000 deaths and almost 2,500 kidnappings last year. Some kidnappers have reportedly used videos of rape and torture to extort costly ransoms from victims' friends and families. (With inputs from agencies)

Haiti plunges further into crisis as armed gangs rampage through capital

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Haiti transition council names Edgard Leblanc as president, gangs demand seat at the table

Haiti plunges further into crisis as armed gangs rampage through capital