Fritz Alphonse Jean, Haiti's de facto president, describes the country as being in a "situation of war" due to gangs controlling 85% of Port-au-Prince. He is seeking increased financial and training assistance from Canada for the national police to combat the violence that has killed over 5,000 and displaced 10% of the population. Jean also plans to invite the Haitian diaspora in Montreal to return and help rebuild the state.
Haiti’s de facto president, facing ‘situation of war,’ seeks more help from Canada
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Fritz Alphonse Jean, Haiti's de facto president, describes the country as being in a "situation of war" due to gangs controlling 85% of Port-au-Prince. He is seeking increased financial and training assistance from Canada for the national police to combat the violence that has killed over 5,000 and displaced 10% of the population. Jean also plans to invite the Haitian diaspora in Montreal to return and help rebuild the state.
Trending- 1 1960s: Waves of emigration from Haiti began during Duvalier's reign.
- 2 1998-2001: Fritz Alphonse Jean served as governor of the central bank.
- 3 2010: Haiti earthquake.
- 4 2016: Fritz Alphonse Jean had a brief stint as prime minister.
- 5 Last spring: Violence escalated in Haiti.
- 6 2023: Canada pledged $100 million to help train and arm Haitian national police.
- 7 April 2024: Haiti's transitional presidential council established.
- 8 March (current year): Fritz Alphonse Jean sworn in as president of the council.
- 9 Early May (current year): U.S. government designated Haitian gangs as terrorists.
- 10 Last week: The New York Times reported Haiti hired Erik Prince; Jean interviewed by The Globe and Mail.
- 11 Soon: Jean planning a visit to Montreal.
- 12 February 2026: Elections planned in Haiti.
- Over 5,000 people killed
- 10% of population internally displaced
- Government forced to relocate
- Ongoing violence and insecurity
- Economic instability
- Brain drain (80% of university graduates live abroad)
What: Haiti's de facto president, Fritz Alphonse Jean, is seeking more financial and training assistance from Canada to combat the "situation of war" caused by heavily armed gangs controlling Port-au-Prince.
When: 2010 (earthquake); 1960s (Duvalier reign); 1998-2001 (Jean as central bank governor); 2016 (Jean as prime minister); 2023 (Canada pledged $100M); April 2024 (transitional presidential council established); last spring (violence escalated); March (Jean sworn in); early May (US designated gangs as terrorists); last week (NYT reported on Erik Prince, Jean's interview); soon (Jean's visit to Montreal); February 2026 (elections planned).
Where: Haiti; Port-au-Prince; Villa d’Accueil; National Palace; Canada; Montreal; United States.
Why: Heavily armed gangs control most of the capital; over 5,000 people killed and 10% displaced; police are underpowered and ill-equipped; urgent need to reinforce police; to rebuild the state; to address transnational crime and corruption.
How: Seeking increased aid from Canada ($100 million pledged in 2023, seeking to double down); systematic offensives by police against gangs; considering outside military contractors (Erik Prince); planning a "war budget" to train 3,000 new police/soldiers; inviting Haitian diaspora to return.