After days of resisting, Haiti’s prime minster is stepping down. What happens now?

After days of resisting calls by the United States and Caribbean governments to resign, Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced Monday he will step down.

The decision followed months of tumult, as gang-related killings and kidnappings surged and his relationship with Caribbean leaders grew more acrimonious. Things came to a critical point last week, when gang leaders took over police substations, looted the capital’s major port, and attacked Toussaint Louverture International Airport, leading to a suspension of all international flights. By Thursday, Haiti imposed a month-long state of the emergency and curfew for the capital of Port-au-Prince.

It was so dire that in the early hours of Sunday morning, the U.S. military flew in Marines to reinforce its embassy in Haiti and evacuate non-essential personnel.

So what happens now?

▪ U.S. and Caribbean leaders propose a plan to lead Haiti out of crisis: A group of countries, including the U.S., Canada and several Caribbean nations, met in Jamaica on Monday and over a video conference with Haitian political and civic leaders came up with a plan to move the crisis-ridden country forward to elections. The plan would set up a seven-member presidential panel that would appoint a new interim prime minister.

▪ U.S. doubles Pentagon budget for multinational Haiti force: U.S. officials told McClatchy that the Biden administration is doubling its defense spending to expedite the deployment of the Multinational Security Support mission, or MSS, as soon as possible, despite a congressional hold by Republican lawmakers on key State Department funding.

▪ Who could be next to power? The situation is ripe for Haitians to welcome a ruthless authoritarian leader who promises to put an end to the bloodshed. Key figures are jostling for power in Haiti.

The Miami Herald is on top of the latest events in this growing crisis. Follow our coverage here.