What's behind the violent power struggle in Haiti — and what experts say Canada should do about it

The power struggle that has largely paralyzed Haiti appeared to approach a tipping point on Wednesday as increasingly powerful gangs pushed the nation's prime minister to resign, in order to prevent what they called the beginning of a "civil war."

Gang leaders have attacked and seized most of the country's capital, Port-Au-Prince, over the last week. Heavily armed gang members laid siege to the airport, government buildings and prisons — including the nation's largest penitentiary, enabling thousands of inmates to escape. Schools and businesses shut down, while tens of thousands of people fled the violence.

The current impasse began after Prime Minister Ariel Henry was stranded in Puerto Rico on Tuesday because it wasn't safe for his plane to land at home. He has had Canada's support since taking office, after Haiti's previous president was assassinated in 2021,

With Henry stuck, armed groups have filled the power gap.

Here's what to know about the crisis — and how experts say Canada should respond.

Some of the most powerful gang leaders in Haiti have said they are trying to bring down Henry, whose government has widely been seen as illegitimate since he took power more than two years ago. Henry, who is also acting president, was sworn in as prime minister with the backing of the international community, including Canada, after the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

"People have been calling for him to step down since he stepped up," said Greg Beckett, an associate professor of anthropology at Western University who has worked in Haiti since 2002.

Haiti has failed to hold parliamentary and general elections in recent years, and there are no elected officials. 

The latest round of attacks began in late February after Henry pledged to hold long-awaited general elections by mid-2025. It also coincides with Henry travelling to Kenya last week to sign a deal expected to secure that country's leadership for a rapid international force to help national police fight gangs.

Louis-Henri Mars, who founded the Lakou Lapè peace-building organization in Port-au-Prince, said he believes the gangs made their move as a pre-emptive show of force.

"They've got together and decided they're not going to wait [for a deal with Kenya]," he said. "They're going to take up as much territory and as much reinforcements as possible to eventually resist whatever's coming in for them."

Daniel Foote, the former United States special envoy to Haiti, said Henry now has little choice but to step down.

"There's no government to go back to. There wasn't a government a week ago, and there's no government now.

"If he goes back, I'm ... certain that he'll be killed."