GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — Leaders of several Caribbean countries met with embattled Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry on Sunday to discuss the relentless gang violence plaguing his country. A senior official noted that continuing to lead the government would be one of the main obstacles to progress.
Bahamian Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell told the Associated Press that opposition leaders and other groups in Haiti opposed Henry remaining as prime minister even as the regional trade bloc CARICOM continued to try to help change the country's situation.
Mitchell said the international community was also wondering what the country would do if the prime minister resigned or was removed, adding that “there has to be a political solution.”
In brief comments to the AP, Henry said asking him to resign was tantamount to a power grab and that nothing would change “unless we work together.”
A few weeks ago, demonstrators from various parts of Haiti organized protests to demand Henry's resignation, but they turned violent.
Mitchell spoke to the AP after holding a private meeting with Henry and other Caribbean leaders in Guyana ahead of the start of the four-day CARICOM summit in the South American country. Officials such as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A. Nichols are scheduled to attend.
Mitchell noted that Caribbean leaders are scheduled to meet with Thomas-Greenfield on Monday morning.
“Haiti is the only problem. “There’s really nothing else,” he commented.
The Haitian government said in a statement on Sunday that Henry would attend the CARICOM summit, which will discuss the participation of Caribbean countries to advance the deployment of a Kenyan police force with United Nations support to combat gang violence.
Countries including Jamaica, Bahamas, Belize, Burundi, Chad and Senegal have expressed their intention to send troops.
At the end of the CARICOM summit, officials reported that Henry was scheduled to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, to “determine the modalities” of the operation, which was suspended by court order.
Mitchell said the international community had pledged more than $100 million to the mission in Haiti and the United States had pledged another $200 million, adding that the political situation remained problematic.
U.S. and U.N. officials said in a recent statement that during her time at the summit, Thomas-Greenfield will “continue to rally global support” and “reaffirm the urgency of finding a credible and inclusive path to holding elections that will bring back a return.” “Enable.” Peace.” Democratic order for the Haitian people.”