special envoy to Haiti.ĭaniel Foote, a career diplomat, quit the high-profile post over the deportations at the border, saying it was inhumane to return the migrants, many of whom fled the island following the devastating 2010 earthquake, to a country buffeted by gang violence, a collapsed economy and political turmoil.įoote, in his resignation letter, also criticized the U.S. diplomat to Latin America, who is seeking to contain the fallout from the abrupt resignation last week of the U.S. Henry’s remarks came just hours before the arrival in Port-au-Prince of Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols, the top U.S. “We don’t understand the way that our compatriots were treated,” he said. government recently treated Haitian migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border, where it expelled more than 2,300. In other comments, Henry criticized how the U.S. He previously served as health minister and briefly as interior minister under former President Michel Martelly. backing, tried to stabilize Haiti in the aftermath of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s overthrow in a coup. In 2004, he was part of the so-called Council of Sages that, with U.S. It’s not the first time Henry has assumed a caretaker role. He views his position as a mission to oversee a renaissance of Haitian society. Henry said he has always been a legitimate prime minister despite not being elected. “It is time that the international community says to us, ‘We are listening,’ rather than push down our throat somebody that they put there.” “We have wanted a Haitian solution," she said. “Bottom line, he has no legitimacy or credibility.”Ĭlesca and several leaders of Haiti's civil society are calling for a two-year transitional government with a president and prime minister chosen by political parties and civil society to stabilize the country before holding elections. “He's a puppet,” said Monique Clesca, a Haitian writer, activist and former U.N. government with a long history of meddling in Haiti’s affairs. The 71-year-old was finally ushered into power over the outgoing prime minister, Claude Joseph, after foreign diplomats belonging to the so-called Core Group endorsed his rule, giving rise to criticism that he was a pawn of the U.S. But the president was killed before Henry could be sworn in. Henry still faces opposition to the referendum, as well as criticism from those who do not consider him a legitimate leader.Īs part of a political agreement with opponents, Moïse selected Henry, a trained neurosurgeon, to become Haiti’s next prime minister shortly before his assassination. Thousands protested in the streets when the referendum was first proposed, with many accusing Moïse of a power grab. Other changes include compulsory military service for those age 18, the creation of a vice presidential position to replace that of prime minister and the establishment of a unicameral legislature to replace the current Senate and Chamber of Deputies. One proposed constitutional change would bar a president from serving more than two terms, although it does not specify whether those would be consecutive, as stated in the current constitution. But the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse at his private home on July 7 upended those plans. 7, along with the constitutional referendum. The council added that it will continue to work on organizing the upcoming elections.Īfter being postponed several times this year, presidential and legislative elections were scheduled to be held Nov. Just hours after he spoke, members of the provisional council that Henry dissolved issued a statement saying they plan to contest the prime minister's actions and accused him of violating Haitian law because only a president has the power to dismiss them. “People don't believe what is being said.” “The elections must be held as soon as possible,” he said as he lamented the lack of trust among Haitians.