Ariel Henry resigned today, Thursday, April 25, 2024, as prime minister of Haiti, leaving the way clear for a new government to be formed in the Caribbean country, which has been wracked by gang violence. Photo: AFP

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) had called on the people of the Virgin Islands to ‘treat our Haitian brothers and sisters with the humanity they deserve’. Photo: GIS/File

Henry presented his resignation in a letter signed in Los Angeles, dated April 24, and released on Thursday by his office on the same day a council tasked with choosing a new prime minister and Cabinet for Haiti was due to be sworn in.

The council would be installed more than a month after Caribbean leaders announced its creation following an emergency meeting to tackle Haiti's spiraling crisis.

More than 53,000 people fled Haiti’s capital in just three weeks of March as conflict between powerful armed gangs wreaked havoc for civilians.

Treat our Haitian brothers & sisters with humanity’- Premier Wheatley

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), in a March 1, 2024, update on attendance at the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, had said the deteriorating situation on Hait was one of the first issues addressed by CARICOM Heads and high-level representatives from the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), France, Canada and United Nations (UN).

“Everyone has agreed that the situation must be urgently addressed to stop the suffering of the Haitian people. That very suffering is what has caused so many Haitians to flee from their home by very dangerous means in the hope of finding a better life. Many have made the dangerous journey across the waters right here to the Virgin Islands. Sadly, in the process some of our Haitian brothers and sisters lost their lives along the way.”

Premier Wheatley also said it must be recognised that until conditions on the ground are stable in Haiti, the Virgin Islands and other places throughout the Caribbean will have to cope with the outflow of Haitians fleeing Haiti for safety, security and a livelihood by which to survive.

“Here in the Virgin Islands we must treat our Haitian brothers and sisters with the humanity they deserve,” Dr Wheatley had stated.