In a bid to curb gang violence, Haiti’s transitional council announced on Tuesday the appointment of Fritz Belizaire, the former youth and sports minister, as the country’s new prime minister. Edward Leblanc Fils has also been named as the president.
During a ceremony in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, Belizaire was chosen by the seven-member council, which was sworn in last week to restore security and pave the way for elections.
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The council has made its leadership selection following the formal resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry last week. Henry had been in self-exile in Puerto Rico since February, when his plane was denied entry into the Dominican Republic. In the interim, Finance Minister Michel Patrick Boisvert assumed the role of prime minister.
Haiti has been without a leader since 2021 following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Despite suspicions surrounding his alleged involvement in Moise’s death, Henry assumed the role of de facto president.
Belizaire is set to take charge of the government until a new president is chosen in February 2026. The transitional council has the responsibility of selecting a new cabinet and organizing a multinational security force to assist in retaking the capital, as the gangs in Haiti are also seeking representation.
Gang violence has been on the rise in Haiti since the beginning of this year, with devastating consequences. According to the non-profit organization ACAPS, more than 80% of the country and over 60% of the capital are currently under the control of gangs. This alarming situation calls for immediate attention and action to ensure the safety and well-being of the Haitian people.
In a chaotic turn of events, Haiti’s main airport was targeted by gangs who staged shooting attacks, leading to the escape of thousands of prisoners. The country’s two largest prisons were left vulnerable as the criminals took advantage of the situation. Adding to the mayhem, hospitals and food supplies were vandalized, further exacerbating the already dire circumstances in Haiti.
The United Nations reports that there is a significant food insecurity crisis in Haiti, affecting nearly 5 million people.
In 2020, the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory cautioning Americans against visiting Haiti.
