Haiti’s foreign chief: Situation is ‘under control’

Port-au-Prince, Feb 13 (EFE).- Haiti’s foreign affairs chief Claude Joseph insisted during an interview with Efe that the situation in the country was “under control,” despite the fact that President Jovenel Moise recently denounced a coup attempt against his leadership amid a prolonged socio-political crisis in the nation.

Less than a week after the crisis broke out, Joseph defended the actions of the government and the controversial decision to fire three judges accused of conspiring to overthrow the government. The move drew criticism from the international community.

The current political crisis in Haiti centers on fundamental disagreements over when Moise’s current term is due to come to an end. Opposition politicians and activists believe his time as president is already up as of this year while the incumbent insists he is constitutionally entitled to one more year.

Joseph said the government would press ahead with plans to hold a referendum on a new constitution in April and slate elections for September, adding that “in a democracy, there is no other way to come to power.”

Asked whether the government would contemplate requesting the presence of United Nations peace-keepers if the situation continued, Joseph said: “Let’s not get carried away. The situation is not as bad as some people are making out. The situation is under control. Today is better than yesterday. Tomorrow will be better than today.” EFE

Interview by María Montecelos and Milo Milfort

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