#HAITI: Elections Again Postponed

[world politics news]

General elections scheduled for November in Haiti have been postponed indefinitely after the country's prime minister dismissed all members of the body which organizes elections.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry said he would appoint a new electoral council, but has not said when he would do so.

It is the fourth time the election has been postponed.

Haiti has been torn apart by a fierce power struggle triggered by the killing of President Jovenel Moïse in July.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#HAITI: Accused Death Squad Leader And Elected Senator Denied New Trial In Miami

[world politics news]

Guy Philippe, a convicted money launderer and an elected Haitian senator, has lost another bid for freedom in a Miami federal court. A federal judge last week dismissed Philippe’s appeal for a new trial, concluding his claims that his defense attorneys were "ineffective" and “working for both sides" weren’t credible.

Philippe - who was also at various times a law student, a police commander, a coup leader accused of leading death squads - pled guilty to a money laundering conspiracy in April 2017 and was sentenced to nine years in prison. The original indictment accused him and others in the Haiti National Police of accepting bribes from cocaine traffickers in exchange for protecting their shipments from Colombia to Haiti to the United States. Haitian lawmakers passed a resolution condemning his arrest, which remains controversial, since he had been elected to the senate, but had not yet been sworn in.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#HAITI: Pres. Moïse Set To Visit Haitian Students During First State Visit To Cuba; Vows To Expand Cooperation

[world politics news]

Haitian Pres. Jovenel Moïse has begun his first official visit to Havana since assuming office in February. He is set to hold official talks with Cuban authorities and pay tribute to National Hero Jose Marti at the memorial that bears his name in Havana. In August, Moïse announced his intention to travel to Cuba and visit Haitian youths who are studying here. He and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel vowed to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation, especially in the fields of healthcare and education.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#HAITI: Prime Minister Resigns Following Rioting Over Gas Price Hikes

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant abruptly resigned Saturday, avoiding being forcibly ousted in a no-confidence vote by the country’s Lower Chamber of Deputies. Haiti’s parliament had scheduled a hearing on Saturday to fire Lafontant and his 18 cabinet members after an unpopular fuel price hike led to riots last weekend

[FULL STORY HERE]

#HAITI: Rioting Ensues After Gov't Proposes Steep Gas Price Hikes; 120 Americans Trapped At Hotel

[world politics news]

The Haitian government has halted a planned fuel price hike after tension and fighting escalated late last week. As of Sunday night, 120 Americans were trapped inside a Port-au-Prince hotel, targeted by violent protesters. Other missionaries across the nation were unable to get to the city's airport, which was closed. Haitian Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant had previously declared that fuel prices needed to be raised to balance the budget and announced a 38 percent increase for gasoline, diesel and kerosene. A two-day strike had been planned starting on Monday. It's unclear whether Lafontant's concession will halt plans for the strike.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#HAITI: Newly-Elected President Questioned By Judge Over Corruption Allegations

[world politics news]

An investigating judge in Haiti has spent four hours questioning the president-elect, Jovenel Moise, about fraud allegations. Moise - who is due to be sworn into office next month - says he went to the court voluntarily without a lawyer. The former banana exporter denies accusations of money laundering and receiving favorable loans before he entered politics.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#HAITI: Long-Delayed Election Must Occur On Oct. 9, Says Interm Pres.

[world politics news]

Haiti's long-delayed presidential vote must take place on Oct. 9 as scheduled to install a legitimately elected leader as soon as possible and assuage concerns about political stability, interim President Jocelerme Privert says. Haiti is scrambling to find funding for its third election process in a year. A history of volatility and missed deadlines in the nation's recent electoral history has raised doubts about the October date.