New president for Haiti as gangs threaten to topple government
Wealthy businessman Laurent Saint-Cyr assumes leadership of the transitional council, which has struggled to contain the country’s armed groups
Haitian businessman Laurent Saint-Cyr took over his country’s leadership on Thursday, the last phase of its transition before it is mandated to hand power to a democratically elected successor, but a top gang leader threatened to topple the precarious government.
Saint-Cyr was inaugurated at a ceremony at the capital’s Villa d’Acceuil, the temporary seat of power after downtown Port-au-Prince became too insecure.
He called on foreign allies to do more to help local security forces that have struggled to prevent heavily armed gangs from gaining power and territory.
“I invite all international partners to increase their support, send more soldiers, provide more training,” Saint-Cyr said at the ceremony. “I am asking the security forces to intensify their operations.”
A UN-backed security force led by Kenyan police deployed to Haiti a year ago but it has struggled with a lack of personnel and resources. The council has said it has recently contracted a private military company to assist.