Ariel Henry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ariel Henry
Henry in 2023
Acting Prime Minister of Haiti
In office 20 July 2021 – 24 April 2024
Appointed by	Jovenel Moïse
President	Vacant
Preceded by	Claude Joseph (acting)
Succeeded by	Michel Patrick Boisvert (acting)
Acting Minister of Interior and Territorial Communities
In office 14 November 2022 – 24 April 2024
Prime Minister	Himself (acting) Michel Patrick Boisvert (acting)
Preceded by	Liszt Quitel
Succeeded by	Garry Conille
In office 22 January 2015 – 11 September 2015
Prime Minister	Evans Paul
Preceded by	Réginald Delva
Succeeded by	Ardouin Zéphirin
Acting Minister of Culture and Communication
In office 27 November 2021 – 11 January 2022
Prime Minister	Himself (acting)
Preceded by	Jean Emmanuel Jacquet
Succeeded by	Emmelie Prophète
Minister of Social Affairs and Labor
In office 11 September 2015 – 28 March 2016
Prime Minister	Evans Paul Fritz Jean
Preceded by	Victor Benoît
Succeeded by	Jean René Antoine Nicolas
Personal details
Born	(1949-11-06) 6 November 1949 (age 75) Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Political party	Independent
Other political affiliations	Inite Fusion of Haitian Social Democrats Haitian Revolutionary Progressive Nationalist Party Social Democratic Party Convergence Démocratique
Spouse	Annie Claude Massiau
Education	University of Montpellier (BS) Loma Linda University (MPH)

Ariel Henry (born 6 November 1949) is a Haitian neurosurgeon and politician. He served as the acting prime minister of Haiti from July 2021 until his resignation in April 2024.

During his time as prime minister, the role of the President of Haiti was empty. The Council of Ministers, which he led, was in charge of the country's executive power. He also worked as the acting Minister of Interior and Territorial Communities.

Henry announced in March 2024 that he would step down when a new transitional presidential council was formed. He officially resigned on 24 April 2024, when the council was put in place. His cabinet then chose Michel Patrick Boisvert as the temporary prime minister.

Early Life and Education

Henry was born on 6 November 1949 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. His family came from the Artibonite region. He studied neurosurgery in Montpellier, France, from 1977 to 1981. He earned his doctoral degree in January 1982.

From 1981 to 1984, he continued his studies in neurophysiology and neuropathology at the University of Montpellier. He also received a special certificate in electroencephalography in 1983.

Henry also studied in the United States. In 1989, he earned a Master of Public Health degree from Loma Linda University. He then did more studies in international health management at Boston University from February to May 1990.

Medical Career

Henry taught at the Private Nursing School of Montpellier from 1980 to 1981. He worked as an assistant in neurosurgery at the Gui de Chauliac university hospital in Montpellier from 1982 to 1985. During this time, he was also an assistant professor.

He later became the administrator of the Adventist Hospital of Haiti from 1985 to 1987. From 1987 to 1996, Henry was a neurosurgeon at the State University of Haiti Hospital. He also taught neurosurgery and psychophysiology at the university. Since 1990, he has been a professor of neurology at the university's medical faculty.

Henry was a consultant in neurosurgery and neurology at the Saint Vincent Centre for Disabled Children in Port-au-Prince from 1987 to 2010. He also taught at Loma Linda University and Quisqueya University. He advised the Minister of Health of Haiti from 1993 to 1995. He also worked as a consultant for the Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization.

Henry directed several health programs for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency-Haiti. He was also the health director for the Adventist Church in Haiti and other regions. From 1992 to 1999, he was the chairman of the board for the Ecumenical Welfare Society.

Since 1984, Henry has been a member of the French Society of Neurosurgery. He has also been involved in efforts to stop polio in Haiti. Since 2014, he has led the neurosurgery department at the Bernard Mevs Hospital. He helped manage the public health response after the 2010 Haiti earthquake and a cholera outbreak in 2012. In 2020, President Jovenel Moïse chose him to be part of a scientific council to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Haiti.

Political Career

Henry started his political journey as a leader in the Democratic Convergence movement. This group wanted to remove President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. After a change in government in 2004, Henry asked for a new government and elections. He then became part of a "council of sages" that helped choose members of the new government.

Henry supported René Préval when he became President. In June 2006, Henry was appointed as the director general of the Ministry of Health. He held this role until September 2008, when he became the ministry's chief of staff until October 2011. During this time, he worked with the United States on public health after the 2010 earthquake.

Henry has been a member of several political parties, including the Social Democratic Party and Inite. In 2015, President Michel Martelly chose him to be the Minister of Interior and Territorial Communities. He served in this role from January to September 2015. Then, he became the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor until March 2016.

On 5 July 2021, President Jovenel Moïse chose Henry to be the next prime minister of Haiti. However, two days later, President Moïse died. The current Prime Minister, Claude Joseph, took control of the government. A group of international diplomats, called the "Core Group," asked Henry to become the head of the government on 17 July. On 19 July, Joseph announced he would step down for Henry.

Prime Minister of Haiti

Henry became the acting prime minister on 20 July 2021. During his swearing-in, he spoke about the importance of unity and bringing back order and safety to the country. He said he wanted to hold elections as soon as possible.

After an earthquake hit Haiti on 14 August 2021, Henry declared a state of emergency. He promised that all resources would be used to help those affected. He also spoke to the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States, promising to hold elections to bring back democracy.

In September 2021, Henry said that reducing crime in Haiti was a main goal for his government. He also introduced a new draft constitution. This new constitution would give the President more power and remove the Prime Minister's position. On 11 September, he signed an agreement with other political parties for a temporary government. This agreement included forming a new election council and investigating past events.

At the United Nations General Assembly in September 2021, Henry spoke about Haitian migrants. He asked wealthy countries to help less-developed countries improve their living standards. He also said his government was working to find those responsible for President Moïse's death. Henry dismissed all members of the Provisional Electoral Council on 27 September. He promised to appoint a new council and hold elections soon.

In November 2021, Henry named a new cabinet of ministers. He also became the acting Minister of Culture and Communication. On 1 January 2022, Henry had to leave Gonaïves after an incident near a ceremony. He accused "bandits" of trying to harm him.

In February 2022, Henry said he would hand over suspects in President Moïse's death to the United States. He supported their investigation and wanted a judge from another country to oversee the case in Haiti. He also said that improving safety was key to holding elections.

In September 2022, Henry announced a reduction in fuel subsidies, which made fuel much more expensive. This led to protests and challenges in the country. On 5 October, Henry asked for international help to solve the situation. Two days later, his government asked for international military assistance. In November, Henry made changes to his cabinet, appointing himself as acting Interior Minister.

On 21 December 2022, Henry and other leaders signed an agreement to hold general elections in 2023. This agreement also set up a High Council for the Transition to help oversee the government. In February 2024, Henry stated that elections would be held when the security situation improved. The Caribbean Community later said he had agreed to hold elections by August 2025.

Political Challenges and Resignation

In February 2024, Henry traveled to Guyana and Kenya to sign an agreement for Kenyan police to help in Haiti. When he tried to return, he could not land in Haiti because of challenges at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport. Henry remained outside the country and signed his resignation in April 2024 from Los Angeles. Michel Patrick Boisvert became the acting prime minister in his absence.

On 11 March 2024, Henry agreed to resign once a transitional presidential council was formed. This decision came after a meeting in Jamaica with Caribbean leaders and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The council was officially formed on 12 April. Its members were named on 16 April and sworn in on 25 April, the day after Henry's resignation was confirmed.

Personal Life

Ariel Henry is the son of Elie S. Henry, who was a pastor and an elder in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. His father passed away in 2015. Ariel Henry is married to Annie Claude Massiau. His siblings are Monique Henry, Edlyne Henry Richard, Elie Henry, and Elvire Henry. His brother Elie is also a pastor and has been the president of the Inter-American Division of Seventh-day Adventists since 2018.

See also

In Spanish: Ariel Henry para niños