Haiti Roundup: Security, announcement of new prime minister, Colombian weapons in Haiti

Security, stability issues

Haitians have urged the Transitional Presidential Council to prioritise security and restore stability following the selection of Edgard Gardy Leblanc Fils as president and Fritz Bélizaire as prime minister. The council's slow progress has been criticised, and calls have been made for urgent action to address the country's crisis. Despite concerns, there is hope that the council's recent meeting with the police and army signals a commitment to restoring national security. Haitian Times explained that expectations are high for the council to address the ongoing security and social violence issues swiftly and effectively.

New Prime Minister

The appointment of Haiti's new prime minister appears to have divided the transitional council. Four of seven members choose Fritz Bélizaire, causing unexpected political alliance and surprise among Haitians. The Montana Accord, a civil society group represented by a council member with voting powers, described the election as a "complot" hatched by four council members against the Haitian people "in the middle of the night," Daily Journal reported.

Haiti's new president

The Haitian Transitional Council has selected a new president and interim prime minister amid ongoing gang violence, international media Reuters reports. The nation's capital has been rocked by attacks, leading to a mass exodus of people. The situation remains unstable as the transitional council takes on the task of leading Haiti through the crisis.

Limited healthcare access

The World Health Organization (WHO) is concerned about the limited access to healthcare facilities in Haiti due to ongoing violence. Only three hospitals are operational in Port-au-Prince, and gangs have brought the health system to the brink of collapse. Patients participating in TB and HIV/AIDS programs are unable to attend hospitals due to gang violence, Media agency TeleSur explains. The chaos in Port-au-Prince also affects vaccination campaigns, epidemic control, and chronic disease prevention efforts. The international community is being urged to increase support and financial resources to provide vital services and essential supplies.

Colombian weapons in Haiti

Stolen Colombian weapons and ammunition may have ended up in the hands of armed gangs in Haiti, according to President Gustavo Petro. The missing supplies include explosives, hand grenades, and anti-tank missiles. The discovery came amid reports of foreign smugglers supplying weapons to gangs in Haiti. President Petro described the theft as a scandalous corruption involving officials in charge of protecting the state. Miami Herald indicated that the government is taking action to separate members of the public force from any criminal association.