The government that I am leading cannot remain indifferent to this situation. There is no sacrifice too big for our country. – Prime Minister Ariel Henry

“After the Council of Ministers tonight accepted to put into place a transitional presidential council, the members of the council will be picked after agreement with different sectors of national life. The government I am running will remove itself immediately after the establishment of said council. Haiti wants peace. Haiti needs stability Haiti need sustainable development. Haiti need rebuild institution. I am asking all Haitians to remain calm and do everything they can for peace and stability to return as quickly as possible for the good of the country. I want to thank the Haitian people for demanding all what is good. I want to thank everyone in the government team. You have served with integrity, wisdom and honor. God bless Haiti!” -- Prime Minister Ariel Henry

Prime Minster Henry will remain in office until an interim government is established.

International Pressure Leads Prime Minister Henry to Resign

The current chair of The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and president of Guyana Irfaan Ali stated: “We acknowledge the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry upon the establishment of a transitional presidential council and the naming of an interim prime minister. I want to pause and thank Prime Minister Henry for his service to Haiti.”

CARICOM members, representatives from Haiti’s political parties and civil society, as well as diplomates from the United States, which included Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and the U.N. met for a series of emergency meetings on Monday, March 12, 2024 to help chart a path forward for Haiti after it became clear the crisis in Port-au-Prince had spiraled out of control.

Secretary Blinken said that given the increasingly urgent need in Haiti, that the United States Department of Defense is doubling its approved support for the mission from $100 million to $200 million, and that brings the total U.S. support to $300 million for the effort in Haiti. Secretary Blinken also announced additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Haiti: $33 million to further support health and food security efforts.

CARICOM leaders announced the creation of a seven-member transitional presidential council. The council will hold relevant and possible powers of the Haitian presidency during the transition period until an elected government is established, and will operate by majority vote. The council will appoint a new interim prime minister and council of ministers. In Haitian democracy, the prime minister answers to the president.