MIAMI – Deteriorating conditions in Haiti are capturing the attention of Haitian-Americans in South Florida.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced Tuesday that he would resign after the creation of a transitional presidential council.
In an interview with Local 10 News, Jazz Janvier spoke to the fears and confusion of watching from afar in Haiti’s South Florida diaspora. She says she spoke to her family Monday.
“They stay inside but they are still not safe because people get killed while they are inside of their house,” Janvier said.
Rico Avis says he too has spoken to his family.
“What are they saying?” Local 10 News reporter Glenna Milberg asked.
“Too much problem,” he replied.
Now that Henry has resigned, under pressure from the U.S. and Caribbean governments, the warlord who demanded he step down, Jimmy Cherizier — known as Barbecue — is firmly in control.
In the weeks leading up to the unrest, Cherizier, who is a former police officer, and a loose federation of armed gangs closed down the Port-au-Prince airport, freed inmates from the prisons, staging a street coup of sorts against what they call an unelected government.
Haiti’s instability has been cited as the biggest driver of mass migration to South Florida.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard repatriated 65 Haitians intercepted off the Bahamas and in Washington, at a congressional hearing, leaders from the Southern Command said that contingency planning is underway for a potential “mass migration” event.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava sent a letter to President Biden Tuesday afternoon requesting briefings and coordination between the county and federal agencies because of the “profound implications” for South Florida over the crisis in Haiti.