A powerful Haitian gang leader pledged Wednesday to continue the fighting that has plunged the country into chaos, as stakeholders work toward establishing a transitional governing body to replace the outgoing prime minister.
Gangs that control most of the capital Port-au-Prince launched an armed campaign almost two weeks ago saying they intended to topple Prime Minister Ariel Henry, sending the nation into violent conflict with warnings of possible famine and civil war.
Henry agreed to step aside after an emergency meeting Monday that brought together US, UN and Caribbean representatives, among others, and yielded a blueprint for Haitians to form a governing Transitional Presidential Council until elections can be held.
But Jimmy Cherizier, a powerful Haitian gang leader known as "Barbecue," said Wednesday his coalition of armed groups "do not care about Ariel Henry's resignation.
"We are going to continue the fight for Haiti's liberation," the former policeman under UN sanctions told Spanish-language network W Radio.
Haiti has not had a national election since 2016, and there is currently no president or parliament. President Jovenel Moise, who was assassinated in 2021, was not replaced, with Henry leading the country after his death.
Henry has been stranded in Puerto Rico after a visit to Kenya, where he hoped to nail down details of a plan for Nairobi to lead a UN-approved police force to restore order in Haiti.
He announced late Monday he would resign when the transitional council is stood up.
Kenya said it had put its plans on hold, but President William Ruto confirmed Wednesday that his country still intended to follow through with the support mission once the transitional council is installed.
Guyanese President Irfaan Ali, who heads the regional bloc CARICOM, said the crisis in Haiti was likely beyond the capacity that Caribbean militaries could handle.
"The situation in Haiti tells you how ill-prepared we were as a region," he said at a University of Guyana event in Georgetown. "We are now scrambling to put together joint command, joint operation."