Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry
Haiti's most powerful gang boss is pressing for an armed overthrow of Prime Minister Ariel Henry as the US looks to the United Nations to approve the Kenya-led violence quelling mission.
On Tuesday, former police officer turned head of the powerful gang coalition which controls large parts of Port-au-Prince, Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, led his followers of armed men on a march through the capital, blocking roads and banging drums.
The coalition head is calling for the overthrowing of the appointed Haitian Prime Minister.
Mr. Cherizier said demonstrations in all working-class neighbourhoods would take place daily against Henry's government, which he said had no legitimacy.
Haitian gangs, which frequently engage police in gun battles and profit from activities such as extortion and drug trafficking, have grown in strength since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.
The assassination created a power vacuum, with Prime Minister Ariel Henry governing on an interim basis since. Henry has pledged to hold elections once security is re-established, and has called for international help in fighting the gangs.
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