Haiti, a country long beset by political unrest, was plunged into further chaos in 2021 when then-President Jovenel Moise was assassinated. Today, gangs operate in large parts of the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Schools and businesses have closed, food, water and gas shortages have increased, and Haitians desperate to leave the country have flocked to immigration offices hoping for passports.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry has been the de facto ruler since Moyes' assassination. Since 2016, the country has not held a formal election. In January, its remaining ten senators left office, leaving no regularly elected officials. Henry, whose rule is widely criticized by many Haitians, has said that new elections cannot take place until the country is secured.
Amidst the chaos, there have been calls for the United States to help stabilize the country, but a checkered history of US intervention in Haiti has created an atmosphere of mistrust.
Host Michel Martin speaks with Pamala White, former ambassador to Haiti, about what options Haiti has for de-escalating the country's unrest.
And Marlene Dout, Yale professor of French and African-American studies, unpacks the history of US intervention in Haiti.
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Source: NRP News
