Amid the escalating Haiti crisis, Prime Minister Ariel Henry found himself at the epicenter of a political storm as he attempted to return to a country in crisis.

Returning from a critical diplomatic mission, Henry, in power since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse nearly three years ago, faced an unexpected request midair from the US State Department, according to the Miami Herald.

The Biden administration, having proposed for months that Henry lead a political transition towards democratic elections, now pressed for his resignation, citing the urgency imposed by gangs overrunning Port-au-Prince.

Secretly in the United States after arriving from Nairobi, Kenya, Henry negotiated a covert return home with diplomats from the neighboring Dominican Republic.

Plans discussed involved flying to Santo Domingo and crossing the border via helicopter, acknowledging the danger posed by gangs encircling the main airport in Port-au-Prince.

The 13-seat Gulfstream charter plane faced obstacles due to the unprecedented assault on Haiti's core institutions.

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Civil War Threat and International Concerns

In the thick of the rising Haiti crisis, gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier issued a dire warning of a potential "civil war" if Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry refused to step down, BBC noted.

Chérizier's gang attempted to seize the capital's airport, contributing to heightened unrest.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, deemed the situation "beyond untenable," with approximately 15,000 people displaced and alarming statistics of 1,193 killed and 692 injured by gang violence since the year's beginning.

With the airport closed due to gangs' attempts to seize it and the neighboring Dominican Republic turning the plane away, Mr. Henry eventually landed in the US territory of Puerto Rico.

Reports suggested Henry was seeking alternative routes back into the country while diplomatic pressure mounted on him to agree to a transitional government.

Tensions remained high, with Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier's warning underscoring the critical juncture Haiti faces, prompting urgent calls for international intervention to prevent further chaos and a descent into civil war.

The G9 alliance, led by Chérizier, has unleashed violence, including attacks on police stations and the storming of the country's two main prisons.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry

Henry, a 74-year-old neurosurgeon, assumed the role of Haiti's prime minister in July 2021, just days after the tragic assassination of President Jovenel Moise, Aljazeera reports.

Moise had selected Henry for the position shortly before his untimely death, thrusting the new prime minister into a tumultuous political landscape.

The assassination exacerbated Haiti's existing political instability, leading to a surge in gang violence amid the resulting power vacuum.

Henry, initially enjoying the support of the United States and other Western powers, faced an immediate Haiti crisis of legitimacy as he stepped into the role.

The Core Group, a coalition of nations, had backed Henry, but his leadership encountered challenges from the outset.

Some segments of Haitian civil society called for Henry to relinquish power to an inclusive transitional government, arguing that such a move could address the escalating gang violence and widespread insecurity.

Despite these pleas, Henry resisted, emphasizing his commitment to unity and dialogue.

He consistently asserted that holding elections would be contingent upon ensuring safety.

However, Henry's stance drew criticism from various quarters in Haiti, particularly from armed gang leaders.

Over the past few years, these leaders employed pressure tactics, such as fuel terminal blockades, in a bid to coerce the prime minister into resigning.

The delicate balance between political stability, security concerns, and demands for leadership change has left Haiti grappling with complex challenges under Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry's tenure.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Haiti PM lands in Puerto Rico as top gang leader warns of 'civil war' - From Aljazeera English