The United States and other Western powers are warning Haiti's transitional council against changing prime minister, fearing it would only stoke more instability and hurt ongoing efforts to combat armed gangs.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke Friday with Alix Fils-Aime and "emphasized the importance of his continued tenure as Haiti’s Prime Minister to combat terrorist gangs and stabilize the island," a State Department statement said.
The European Union, as well as the individual governments of Germany, France, Spain, said in a post on X that "any change at the head of the government just days before the end of the Presidential Transitional Council would jeopardize the encouraging momentum of the security forces against criminal gangs." Canada issued a similar post.
Haiti has been blighted for years by such gangs, which commit murders, rape, looting and kidnappings. The poorest country in the Americas has not held elections since 2016 and been governed by transitional authorities that have failed to curb the violence.
The situation has worsened since the beginning of 2024, when gangs forced then-prime minister Ariel Henry to resign.Â
Five of the seven members of the Presidential Transitional Council want to remove the prime minister before the scheduled end of the council's term on February 7, and appoint an interim head of government.
The council's president of the CPT opposes the move, which comes amid plans for legislative and presidential elections this summer.Â
Haitian security forces are currently conducting a large-scale offensive against criminal gangs and have dislodged one of their most notorious members, Jimmy Cherizier, also known as "Barbecue."Â
"The current violence caused by gangs can only be stopped with consistent, strong leadership, with the full support of the Haitian people," Rubio said, adding that the council must be dissolved February 7 "without corrupt actors seeking to interfere in Haiti's path to elected government."
"The United States will ensure there is a steep cost for corrupt politicians who support vicious gangs and wreak terrorism on Haiti," it added, without elaborating.
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Temperatures will fall below freezing tonight across all of
Central Alabama with residual moisture on local roadways. This will
lead to the possibility of hazardous travel in some areas. Black
ice may create slick spots on some local roads...bridges and
overpasses. Please use extra caution if you have to travel.
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
10 AM CST MONDAY...
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM MONDAY TO 9 AM
CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills
as low as 2 above expected. For the second Cold Weather Advisory,
very cold temperatures as low as 7 above expected.
* WHERE...Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee,
Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette,
Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Lowndes, Marengo, Marion,
Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega,
Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston Counties.
* WHEN...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, from midnight tonight
to 10 AM CST Monday. For the second Cold Weather Advisory, from 9
PM Monday to 9 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
10 AM CST MONDAY...
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM MONDAY TO 9 AM
CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills
as low as 2 above expected. For the second Cold Weather Advisory,
very cold temperatures as low as 7 above expected.
* WHERE...Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee,
Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette,
Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Lowndes, Marengo, Marion,
Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega,
Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston Counties.
* WHEN...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, from midnight tonight
to 10 AM CST Monday. For the second Cold Weather Advisory, from 9
PM Monday to 9 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
Currently in Selma
35°
Cloudy
63° / 35°
8 PM
35°
9 PM
33°
10 PM
32°
11 PM
31°
12 AM
29°
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.