SW News: Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations, has intensified calls for armed action to help long-suffering Haiti. He said the quickly deteriorating internal security of the former French colony was "nightmarish."

The UN diplomat said an armed option is a must to loosen the grip of street gangs, who are blockading the fuel terminal in the Latin American island nation’s capital of Port Au Prince. The United States and Mexico are preparing a UN resolution to empower a non-UN mission led by a country near Haiti. This was discussed at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

There have been widespread protests against Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henri demanding his resignation. His appeal for international intervention on October 7.

was opposed by many Haitians who insist the people of the country, and not outsiders, must determine the present and future of the country, as such stop-gap measures in the past, simply haven't brought lasting stability.

The gasoline crisis is also crippling the country’s economy. Lack of gasoline and diesel has halted most transport, in turn creating shortages of basic goods, including clean water. The UN has also said the fuel shortages have threatened the lives of critical care patients. Due to frequent power cuts, most hospitals rely on fuel-powered generators to keep patients alive. Gangs hit fuel deliveries in Haiti, making gasoline an extremely valuable commodity. A gallon of gasoline costs nearly $6 in Haiti. Local business owners blame gangs for worsening the fuel crisis by blocking roads and gas distribution stations reported the Associated Press.

Local gangs have expanded their control over the country's territory since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. The killing created a political power vacuum. Henri has governed on an interim basis since, even though the constitution calls for both a president and prime minister.

Haiti was in a political crisis before the assassination, having failed to hold scheduled elections in 2019. It no longer has a functioning parliament because the terms of lawmakers have expired, but a few believe an election can be held under the present situation.

Canada and the United States have also promised to provide security assistance to Haiti, but have not offered to send troops. The Bahamas has said it would send troops if asked to do so. A UN stabilization force that operated in Haiti between 2004 and 2017 faced severe criticism, including its role in a deadly cholera outbreak.