Foreign Policy’s Latin America Brief is back with the latest updates on the region. The United States appears to withdraw support for Haiti’s interim leader amid a worsening security crisis, Venezuelan authorities announce an election date, and Brazil strengthens ties with Saudi Arabia. Sign up to receive Latin America Brief every Friday.
Haiti faced a dramatic turn of events on Tuesday as acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry encountered challenges returning home due to gang blockades at the airport in Port-au-Prince. Forced to change his plans, Henry detoured to Puerto Rico after being denied permission to land in the Dominican Republic. The same day, Haitian gang leader Jimmy Chérizier warned of potential civil war if Henry did not resign. With little public support, Henry has clung to power since 2021, following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, supported in part by the U.S.
While in the air on Tuesday, Henry received a surprising message from Washington urging him to resign. Despite pushback from the U.S. State Department, reports suggest that the U.S. suggested a resignation statement to Henry. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has been pushing for a political transition in Haiti, culminating in a recent summit where countries called for Henry’s resignation and an election in 2025.
Meanwhile, Venezuela announced a presidential election on July 28, with a short window for candidates to register. International monitors have been invited to observe the process, following a deal made last October that led the U.S. to lift some sanctions on Venezuela. Candidates, including opposition figure María Corina Machado, face obstacles to participation.
In Colombia, authorities closed a passage in the Colombia-Panama border region after arresting boat captains accused of smuggling migrants. The incident exposed the challenges of abruptly shutting down migrant routes. In Mexico, a government program is collaborating with architects to build public community facilities in cities across the country, addressing basic infrastructure needs and enhancing community spaces.
As Haiti grapples with escalating insecurity, the debate over foreign intervention intensifies. Despite reluctance from the U.S. to send troops, calls for military assistance grow as gangs continue to destabilize the country. With conditions deteriorating, the path forward for Haiti remains uncertain, with regional and international efforts working to address the crisis.