Laurent Saint-Cyr Assumes Haiti Transitional Presidential Council Leadership Amid Crisis

Laurent Saint-Cyr, a wealthy businessman and former president of Haiti's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has been sworn in as the head of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, tasked with restoring order amid severe violence and political instability. His appointment marks a rare moment where private sector leaders hold both presidential and prime minister roles, working alongside Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. Saint-Cyr’s leadership faces immediate threats, including violent warnings and attempted disruptions by powerful gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier, although a UN-backed security mission helped thwart these efforts. His presidency symbolizes a broader struggle with Haiti’s entrenched gang control, corruption, and economic insecurity, with many noting the light-skinned, mixed-race business backgrounds of both him and the prime minister amid the country’s deep divisions. Meanwhile, fifty-eight feminist, human rights, and civil society organizations have urged Saint-Cyr to prioritize the rights and leadership of Haitian women and girls, emphasizing their critical role in achieving long-term peace and stability. This transitional period is seen as a final opportunity to restore state authority and prepare for nationwide elections, although some view the rotating presidency as an "unnecessary" formality amid ongoing crises.