In Haiti, how gangs working together are adding to the ‘uncertainty’

Gang violence, political strife and social instability in Haiti are facts of life for the people who live there, according to Canada’s ambassador to the country, André François Giroux.

But he says the crisis is intensifying as the gangs do something not often seen before — work together.

“This is the reality on the ground right now. And, obviously that creates a lot of uncertainty, and for that reason, people are a little more nervous and need to be much more careful.”

Canada has evacuated some non-essential consulate staff from the embassy in Port-au-Prince, but Giroux stayed behind along some other employees who can’t work remotely.

The ambassador said that means there is still Canadian support for citizens who are in Haiti and embassy resources like food, water and medicine don’t have to be shared as widely among staff.

On Monday, unelected Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned after fleeing the country to Puerto Rico amid the political and social turmoil.

Henry rose to power following the assassination of then-president Jovenel Moïse back in 2021.

Henry’s decision came after an urgent meeting of regional partners, including Canada, in Kingston, Jamaica, on Monday — despite facing calls within Haiti to resign for years.

Under his administration, armed gangs massively grew their wealth, influence and territory, eventually leading Henry to request an international security force in 2022 to stop the unrest. He initially turned to Canada and the United States to request they lead it.

“That’s not good news for the gangs, as you can imagine,” Giroux said.

Giroux said the gangs have been trying to stop the coming of a potential multinational force, and said some Haitian politicians have “opportunistically” become associates with