Haiti is preparing itself for new leadership. Gangs want a seat at the table

By DÁNICA COTO and EVENS SANON
Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Politicians across Haiti are scrambling for power after Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced that he would resign once a transitional presidential council is created. But elbowing their way into the race are powerful gangs that control 80% of Haiti’s capital and demand a say in the future of the troubled country under siege. No one mentioned the armed groups as Caribbean leaders congratulated themselves late Monday for setting Haiti on a new political path. Experts warned Tuesday that nothing would change unless gangs become part of the conversation. Gangs have deep ties to Haiti’s political and economic elite, but they have become more independent.