CARICOM Warns Gangs Benefiting as Haiti Transitional Council in Crisis

THE CARIBBEAN – The Caribbean community is sounding the alarm over growing turmoil inside Haiti’s transitional government.

In a strongly worded statement Tuesday, CARICOM said infighting at the highest levels of the Haitian state is complicating an already fragile political transition at a time when stability and clear decision-making are desperately needed.

The regional body notes the mandate of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council is set to end Feb. 7, but says efforts by some members to remove the prime minister have only deepened the impasse.

CARICOM is warning political divisions are playing into the hands of gangs as ordinary Haitians continue to suffer violence and severe deprivation.

The group is urging all stakeholders to set aside differences, reach consensus, and act with urgency and patriotism so that stability can be restored, elections held, and the focus returned to peace, security and economic recovery.