Washington (March 12, 2024) - In the wake of ongoing violence in Haiti and following the resignation announcement from Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement:

“I am heartbroken to see the images and reports of disaster, danger, and destruction from Haiti. After more than three years in power, and in light of these failures to protect public safety and democracy, Prime Minister Ariel Henry needed to resign.

“But Haiti cannot wait for justice and, until the transitional presidential council is formed, Prime Minister Henry must step down immediately. I urge the United States, in concert with CARICOM, Canada, and other international partners, to do everything we can to quickly form a transitional presidential council that will hold a free, fair, and transparent election. Only with Prime Minister Henry’s immediate departure from power can an inclusive and peaceful transition occur—a transition that would leave the fate of Haiti in the democratic hands of Haitians

“The Biden administration must do all it can to ensure the Haitian National Police has the capacity needed to restore order and wrestle control of Port-au-Prince and the rest of the country from the gangs that have terrorized, killed, and sexually assaulted countless innocent Haitians. Any future government should not include Prime Minister Henry, gangs, or other criminal syndicates.

“We cannot afford to stand idly by as Haiti teeters on the brink of civil war; our government and international partners must continue to provide the support the people of Haiti need. Critically, the Biden administration’s response should be informed and driven by the insight of the Haitian people and the Haitian diaspora in the United States.”

In December 2023, Senator Markey and Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) sent a letter to President Joe Biden calling on the Administration to address the rising state of insecurity and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti. In October 2022, Senator Markey led a letter to urge the Biden administration to extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians living in the United States –a request that was granted in December 2022. In August 2016, Senator Markey successfully led the effort in the Senate to pressure the United Nations to accept full responsibility for Haiti’s cholera outbreak and deliver financial assistance to victims and their families, following his travel to Haiti to deliver aid and assess the humanitarian response.

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