PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti – On June 3, 2024, Garry Conille was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Haiti. However, just a few days into his tenure, he was hospitalized for an undisclosed condition. According to reports from various sources,
Gang violence continues to plague Haiti with approximately 60% of hospitals in the capital city's metropolitan area having closed due to gang activity. Pharmacies are looted and burned, forcing doctors to stay home on some days, putting lives at risk.
In recent years, more than 360,000 people have been forced from their homes due to gang violence in Haiti. Gangs control key routes from the capital city and often paralyze the transportation of critical goods. The security crisis has led to a record-breaking inflation rate of 29%.
Conille's predecessor, Ariel Henry, was forced to resign in April following coordinated attacks by gangs that seized police stations, raided prisons and fired on the nation's main international airport while he was on an official trip to Kenya. The Haitian government is now awaiting the U.N.-backed deployment of a police force from Kenya and other countries.
Conille arrived in Haiti on June 1 after being selected as the nation's new prime minister, having previously worked outside the country as UNICEF's regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean. In a video published on YouTube, Conille expressed his concern for people who need access to hospitals and healthcare due to widespread violence in Haiti.
On June 9, 2024, Conille was admitted to the hospital after spending a night in treatment. He appeared in good spirits when he was discharged and expressed hope that a government could be in place by early next week.
The sources used for this article include AP News, CBS News, ABC News, and Nation Africa. It is important to note that all information should be taken with a critical eye as the mainstream media has been known to report biased or incomplete stories.