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What is behind Haiti's violent protests, and what do they mean for the country going forward?

Essential Geopolitics: The Implications of Ongoing Violent Unrest in Haiti

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A man adds wood to a fire burning in the streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Oct. 3 amid protests demanding the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry. 

Economics

Haiti's political, criminal and economic crises will have broader impacts on the region.

Haiti Descends Deeper Into Chaos as Protests Continue

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Ariel Henry speaks as he becomes prime minister of Haiti on July 20, 2021, in the capital of Port-au-Prince. Rival claims to Haiti's government would undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process, the economy and the country's security situation.

Rival claims to Haiti's government would undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process, the economy and the country's security situation.

Haiti's Prime Minister Appears to Reject a Transitional Government, Portending Turmoil

In this podcast, we discuss how the devastating effects of a major earthquake followed by a tropical storm will exacerbate Haiti's political crisis.

Essential Geopolitics: Political Turmoil and Natural Disasters Beset Haiti

An Aug. 16, 2021, photo shows a building in Les Cayes, Haiti, that collapsed after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the nation two days earlier. Interim President Ariel Henry will likely use the earthquake to delay elections and coordinate foreign relief efforts to serve his interests.

Interim President Ariel Henry will likely use the earthquake to delay elections and coordinate foreign relief efforts to serve his interests.

Haiti's Earthquake Will Worsen Its Crises, and Help Its Interim President Consolidate Power

Haitian security forces look for evidence outside of President Jovenel Moise’s residence in Port-au-Prince following his assassination on July 7, 2021. 

The further deterioration of their country’s economy and security environment will push more Haitians to seek refuge in neighboring countries and France.

The Assassination of Haiti’s President Portends a Migrant Surge 

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As the pandemic leaves more migrants out of work and unable to send money back home, many developing countries that rely on those cash inflows can expect major recessions and increased instability.

COVID-19 Will Cause Global Poverty to Spike

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This geographically, culturally and politically diverse region is home to the United States, a nation whose geography helped it become the foremost economic and military power in the world

The Americas stretch from the Arctic Circle in Canada to the southern tip of Chile. This geographically, culturally and politically diverse region is home to the United States, a nation whose geography helped it become the foremost economic and military power in the world &mdash; an ascendance aided in part by bringing Mexico and Canada into its sphere of influence. Farther south, the nations of South America are like islands, separated by vast spaces of impenetrable mountains, rivers and jungles. Try though these countries may to integrate more closely, deeper ties such as those that characterize North America will prove elusive.

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In a speech at the U.N. General Assembly, Kenyan President William Ruto called on the U.N. Security Council to formally back a security support mission to Haiti, Reuters reported on Sept. 21.

Haiti: Kenyan President Calls U.N. to Approve Security Deployment to Haiti

Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, leader of the G9 gang (Haiti’s most powerful criminal organization) on Sept. 19 said the gang would launch an armed fight to overthrow Prime Minister Ariel Henry, Reuters reported on Sept. 20.

Haiti: Leader of Most Powerful Gang Threatens to Overthrow Prime Minister

Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader announced that his country would indefinitely close all borders with Haiti starting on Sept. 15, Reuters reported on Sept. 14.

Dominican Republic, Haiti: Border Closure to Disrupt Travel, Trade

United States

The U.S. State Department warned that citizens should depart Haiti as soon as possible due to rising security and transportation infrastructure challenges, the Miami Herald reported on Aug. 30.

Haiti: U.S. Issues New Warning for Citizens to Leave Haiti

The United States plans to introduce a resolution before the U.N. Security Council for Kenya to lead a "multinational force" in Haiti, Al Jazeera reported on July 31.

Haiti: U.S. to Introduce U.N. Resolution for Kenya to Lead Multinational Force in Haiti

The U.S. State Department ordered non-emergency personnel and their family members to leave Haiti as soon as possible due to kidnapping threats, Reuters reported on July 27.

Haiti: U.S. Orders Government Personnel to Leave

Haitian Prime Minister and acting President Ariel Henry announced the establishment of a High Transition Council (HTC) to be charged with facilitating elections, Telesur English reported Jan. 2.

Haiti: Prime Minister Announces Transition Council to Oversee Elections

Energy

Gas stations in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, opened to customers for the first time in two months following security forces' Nov. 3 seizure of the city's Varreux fuel terminal from the G9 gang, ABC News reported Nov. 12.

Haiti: Gas Stations Open for First Time in Two Months

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Haiti is a small island nation cursed by geography. It is part of the island of Hispaniola, located west of the Dominican Republic. Haiti is a very poor country, the poorest in the Western Hemisphere according to some estimates. Like many other Caribbean states, Haiti began as a European colony and developed after independence in isolation from its neighbors. The modern state of Haiti occupies a geographic area roughly the same as it did at independence.     Haiti owes its existence to the French empire's demand for sugar, which led to centuries of sugar agriculture on the island. To farm the sugar cane, the French imported tens of thousands of slaves from West Africa. It was from these slaves that the modern Haitian nation was born. Haitian slaves rebelled against their masters in 1791, kicking off a decade of insurgency against the French. The revolution ended in 1804 with the expulsion of French forces and Haiti's independence.    Because it lacks profitable minerals (and because the rich aristocracy was destroyed during the violent revolution), Haiti has historically had problems generating capital. The country's origins as a source of sugar and other commodities made it dependent on agriculture for most of its history. The country's mountainous interior made it difficult to conduct profitable agricultural activity. Haiti lies in the United States' near abroad, but its economic development is minimal and its foreign trade remains small by global standards.    Haiti's biggest contemporary challenge is poverty. Haiti was isolated from global trade after its slave rebellion by European powers and the United States, who refused to trade with the newly independent state. During the 20th century, Haiti's persistently chaotic politics led to a temporary U.S. occupation but little in the way of economic development. Not surprisingly, people leave the island in droves every year. Historically, hundreds of thousands of migrants have resettled in the United States, though they are now arriving in South America in larger numbers because of stricter U.S. immigration regulations.

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Haitian police regained control of the Varreux fuel terminal, Haiti's largest, in an operation against the G9 gang collective, which had blocked access to the terminal since September, Reuters reported Nov. 3.

Haiti: Police Regain Control of Varreux Fuel Terminal

SITUATION REPORTS

Haiti: Kenyan President Calls U.N. to Approve Security Deployment to Haiti

Haiti: Leader of Most Powerful Gang Threatens to Overthrow Prime Minister

Dominican Republic, Haiti: Border Closure to Disrupt Travel, Trade

Haiti: U.S. Issues New Warning for Citizens to Leave Haiti

Haiti: U.S. to Introduce U.N. Resolution for Kenya to Lead Multinational Force in Haiti

Haiti: U.S. Orders Government Personnel to Leave

Haiti: Prime Minister Announces Transition Council to Oversee Elections

Haiti: Gas Stations Open for First Time in Two Months

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