New leadership appointed in Haiti as gangs threaten to overthrow government

Haiti's new transitional leader confronts overwhelming gang violence as he assumes office.

Haiti faces turmoil as new leader vows to restore order

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Laurent Saint-Cyr, a wealthy businessman, was appointed president of Haiti’s transitional presidential council on Thursday, a role aimed at reestablishing order in a nation plagued by gang violence. Hours before his swearing-in, the notorious gang leader Jimmy Chérizier threatened to overthrow the government, raising concerns about security in Haiti, where criminal gangs control 90 percent of the capital's neighborhoods.

The challenges facing Saint-Cyr are formidable. With gangs increasingly asserting their power, his immediate focus on security reveals the dire state of governance. The presence of influential figures from the private sector in leadership roles raises questions about the potential for conflict of interest, particularly given the historical ties between Haiti's elites and its criminal organizations. While some citizens rally behind the new leadership, a significant portion remains wary of the private sector’s role in political management.

Highlights

Haiti's political landscape remains precarious as violence escalates and state authority is challenged.