Haiti political crisis update: Guy Philippe ineligible for Presidential Council

PORT-AU-PRINCE — In a significant development in Haiti's ongoing political crisis, Guy Philippe, a prominent political figure and former rebel and convict, has been deemed ineligible to be part of the seven-member presidential council. This council was established on March 11 through an agreement between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Haitian political actors. The criteria for participation exclude anyone convicted or indicted by the justice system, those intending to participate in the upcoming elections, and those who do not accept the deployment of the multinational mission in support of security in Haiti.

Philippe, who has been advocating for the presidency, falls under the exclusion criteria due to his past conviction for conspiring to launder money derived from drug trafficking, in the United States. A US State Department official reminded VOA Kreyòl about Philippe's case, stating, "Certainly, regarding participation in the presidential council, the criteria exclude individuals accused by the justice system or convicted of a crime."