Topic: Port Au Prince

UN officials warn that Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, is on the verge of total collapse as armed gangs tighten their grip. While a Kenya-led international force was intended to restore order, the mission has seen little progress. Meanwhile, in Kenya, civil unrest has been fueled by the death of a prominent blogger, sparking Gen Z-led protests.

The U.S. State Department began helicopter evacuations of American citizens from Port-au-Prince as gang violence continues to destabilize Haiti. Approximately 1,600 Americans remain in the country, where specialized police units are struggling to hold territory against gangs led by figures like Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier. The crisis has led to calls for international intervention and the potential for a new wave of Haitian migration to the United States.

Haitian gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier warned that his forces would fight any international armed intervention that commits abuses against the local population. Cherizier cited past failures of UN peacekeepers, including the introduction of cholera and allegations of sexual assault, as reasons for resistance. Currently, gangs are estimated to control 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, amid a total collapse of government authority.

Haiti is facing a total collapse of government authority, with armed gangs now controlling more than half of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Prime Minister Ariel Henry's term has expired without new elections, leading to widespread lawlessness and violence against police. The segment reviews the history of foreign intervention in Haiti, including the Clinton Foundation's recovery efforts and the UN-linked cholera outbreak.

Haiti is experiencing extreme civil unrest led by gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, who has blockaded the country's main fuel terminal. The humanitarian crisis has prompted discussions of international military intervention. The situation is complicated by the historical failure of foreign "boots on the ground" in the region.

Protests erupt in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, as the presidential runoff is canceled due to allegations of fraud. Outgoing President Michel Martelly faces demands to step down by February 7th. Opponents accuse Martelly of unfairly favoring candidate Jovenel Moise, a prominent banana exporter. The hosts reflect on the history of international intervention in Haitian politics.

Adam Curry discusses the political situation in Haiti, focusing on Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe and his ties to Bill Clinton. Lamothe, a former telecom executive, co-chaired an advisory committee with Clinton following the 2010 earthquake. Curry highlights Lamothe's relationship with supermodel Petra Nemcova and critiques the "Happy Hearts Fund" for its proximity to the Clinton Foundation.

The hosts play a long clip of Secretary of State John Kerry welcoming Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe to Washington. Kerry praises the Haitian government's progress while Lamothe claims that 98% of the displaced population has been relocated. Curry disputes these figures, arguing that hundreds of thousands of Haitians remain in tents while the government focuses on building luxury hotels.

Thousands of protesters marched in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, demanding the resignation of President Michel Martelly. The demonstrations were fueled by anger over government corruption, a lack of progress since the 2010 earthquake, and a cholera epidemic linked to UN peacekeepers, despite billions in aid funneled through organizations like the Clinton Global Initiative.

Hilton Worldwide announced plans to open a Hilton Garden Inn in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, joining other U.S. brands like Marriott and Best Western in the country. The hosts suggest these developments cater to "economic hitmen" and international investors rather than the local population. They also briefly mention the cholera outbreak in Haiti, which has been linked to UN peacekeepers.

Heineken is investing $100 million in a Haitian brewery, a move the hosts criticize given the country's lack of basic infrastructure like electricity and sanitation. They link the investment to the "Clinton money" influence in Haiti and mock the idea of selling beer to people living in tents without power.

The hosts mock a celebrity "Hollywood Domino" event intended to raise funds for Haiti. They express skepticism about where the money goes, noting that billions have already been raised for Haiti with little visible progress in rebuilding Port-au-Prince.

Violent protests have broken out in Haiti against President Michel Martelly, with citizens accusing the government of cronyism and prioritizing the tourist industry over the poor. The hosts discuss the "Clinton Hotel & Beach Resort" and the influence of the Clinton family in post-earthquake Haiti. They attempt to see if the domain "theclinton.com" is available for registration.

A specific instance of aid failure in Haiti is highlighted where a school was demolished to create a parking lot for a UN agency. Meanwhile, the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund invested $2 million in a $45 million five-star hotel called the Oasis. The hosts praise Al Jazeera for doing "actual reporting" on these issues while other networks have moved on.

While US media focused on New York and New Jersey, Hurricane Sandy caused over 50 deaths and massive crop destruction in Haiti. The hosts report that rice prices in southern Haiti skyrocketed from $2.50 to $4.00 per cup following the storm. They highlight the ongoing cholera outbreak and the dire conditions for those still living in tents since the 2010 earthquake.

The Haitian government reportedly paid 30 families $250 each to vacate their temporary shelters in the National Stadium in Port-au-Prince to make room for upcoming events. The hosts speculate that the stadium is being cleared for a Lady Gaga concert or similar high-profile entertainment, despite the families having lived there since the 2010 earthquake. This displacement is framed as a prioritization of the "new upper crust" over the city's displaced poor.

Daily Finance reports that luxury hotels in Port-au-Prince are thriving and fully booked by foreign aid workers and diplomats. While 1.3 million Haitians live under blankets in slums, embassy and World Bank employees lounge by hotel pools. The hosts point out the stark contrast between the "disaster" reported in the media and the reality for international workers.

Haiti has requested assistance from Prince Charles's architectural charity to guide the reconstruction of Port-au-Prince. The hosts discuss the implementation of "smart codes" in urban planning as a method for elites to exert control over the rebuilding process. They mock the involvement of the British royal family in Caribbean affairs alongside Bill Clinton.

Plans for a 240-room business hotel at the Port-au-Prince airport are detailed, involving Argentine businessman Rolando Gonzales Bunster and the Mevs family's Win Group. The project seeks financing from the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, which the hosts view as the corporate exploitation of the ravaged nation.

Wyclef Jean's decision to run for the presidency of Haiti is discussed as a potential US-backed maneuver. The hosts express skepticism regarding his charity work and suggest he is being positioned as the "Obama of Haiti" to facilitate redevelopment projects led by the Clintons and the UN. They predict a future where Port-au-Prince is marginalized in favor of new tourist developments on the north side of the island.