Haitian crisis (2018–present)

Quick Facts: Who was Haitian crisis (2018–present)?

Subject:

Haitian crisis (2018–present)

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A protracted and severe socioeconomic and political collapse in Haiti since 2018.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The existing political, economic, and social crisis began with protests across cities in Haiti on 7 July 2018 in response to rising fuel prices. These protests gradually evolved into demands for the resignation of President Jovenel Moïse. Led by opposition politician Jean-Charles Moïse, protesters demanded a transitional government, provision of social programs, and the prosecution of corrupt officials. From 2019 to 2021, massive protests called for the Jovenel Moïse government to resign. Moïse had come to power in the 2016 presidential election, which had voter turnout of only 21%.

Career & Major Achievements

Previously, the 2015 elections had been annulled due to fraud. On 7 February 2021, supporters of the opposition allegedly attempted a coup d'état, leading to 23 arrests, as well as clashes between protestors and police. On 7 July 2021, President Moïse was assassinated, allegedly by a group of 28 foreign mercenaries; three of the suspected assassins were killed and 20 arrested, while police searched for the other gunmen and the organizers of the attack. On 20 July, Ariel Henry assumed the office of acting prime minister. In September 2022, further protests erupted in response to rising energy prices, and a federation of gangs created a blockade around Haiti's largest fuel depot.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Combined with an outbreak of cholera and widespread acute hunger, the crisis led the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on Jimmy Chérizier, one of the country's gang leaders. In 2022, Canada issued sanctions against three wealthy businessmen—Gilbert Bigio, Reynold Deeb, and Sherif Abdallah—whom they accused of "participat[ing] in gross and systematic human rights violations in Haiti" along with numerous politicians including Michel Martelly, Laurent Lamothe, Jean-Henry Céant, Joseph Lambert, and Youri Latortue. A UN report to the Security Council in October 2023 likewise identified Martelly, Deeb, and Latortue as having ties to gangs. In March 2024, acting Prime Minister Henry was prevented from returning to Haiti after a trip intended to secure a peace-keeping force of Kenyan police to fight gang violence. The power vacuum and chaos in the streets led to the scheduling of an emergency CARICOM meeting on 11 March.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2015: 2015 Milestone — Previously, the 2015 elections had been annulled due to fraud.
2. 2016: 2016 Milestone — Moïse had come to power in the 2016 presidential election, which had voter turnout of only 21%.
3. 2018: 2018 Milestone — The existing political, economic, and social crisis began with protests across cities in Haiti on 7 July 2018 in response to rising fuel prices.
4. 2019: 2019 Milestone — From 2019 to 2021, massive protests called for the Jovenel Moïse government to resign.
5. 2021: 2021 Milestone — On 7 February 2021, supporters of the opposition allegedly attempted a coup d'état, leading to 23 arrests, as well as clashes between protestors and police.
6. 2022: 2022 Milestone — In September 2022, further protests erupted in response to rising energy prices, and a federation of gangs created a blockade around Haiti's largest fuel depot.
7. 2023: 2023 Milestone — A UN report to the Security Council in October 2023 likewise identified Martelly, Deeb, and Latortue as having ties to gangs.
8. 2024: 2024 Milestone — In March 2024, acting Prime Minister Henry was prevented from returning to Haiti after a trip intended to secure a peace-keeping force of Kenyan police to fight gang violence.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Haitian crisis (2018–present)

True or False: “The initial protests demanding regime change began immediately after the cancellation of all international aid to Haiti in 2018.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The initial catalyst for the major protests starting on July 7, 2018, was the government's announcement of significant increases in fuel prices.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Alan Bean — Historical peer (Died in 2018) (2018): American astronaut, naval officer, and lunar explorer who walked on the Moon.
• Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi — Historical peer (Died in 2019) (2019): Iraqi militant leader and founder of the Islamic State (IS)
• Agnès Varda — Historical peer (Died in 2019) (2019): Pioneering French filmmaker, artist, and documentarian celebrated for her unique vision.
• Aaron Beck — Historical peer (Died in 2021) (2021): Father of Cognitive Therapy and CBT, revolutionizing psychiatric treatment.
• Abdelaziz Bouteflika — Historical peer (Died in 2021) (2021): Algerian politician who served as the seventh President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Historical peer (Died in 2016) (2016): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• Agnes Nixon — Historical peer (Died in 2016) (2016): Pioneering soap opera writer and producer, creator of 'One Life to Live' and 'All My Children'.
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Historical peer (Died in 2015) (2015): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Abdullah of Saudi Arabia — Historical peer (Died in 2015) (2015): King of Saudi Arabia, known for his role in modernizing the kingdom's governance.

Frequently Asked Questions about Haitian crisis (2018–present)