Ariel Henry resigned on Thursday from his position as Prime Minister of Haiti, leaving the way open for the formation of a new government in the Caribbean nation, which has been ravaged by gang violence that resulted in the deaths and injuries of more than 2,500 people from January to March.

Henry submitted his resignation in a signed letter in Los Angeles dated April 24, which his office published today on the same day that the council tasked with selecting a new Prime Minister and swearing in the government of Haiti was scheduled to meet.

The council will be formed more than a month after Caribbean leaders announced its creation following an emergency meeting to address the escalating crisis in Haiti.

The nine-member council, seven of whom have voting powers, is also expected to help set the agenda for the new government. A temporary electoral commission will also be appointed, a necessary condition before elections can be held, along with the establishment of a national security council.

The gangs launched coordinated attacks that began on February 29 in the capital Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. They burned police stations and hospitals, opened fire on the main international airport which has remained closed since early March, and stormed the two largest prisons in Haiti, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

The attack began while Prime Minister Henry was on an official visit to Kenya to advocate for the deployment of a UN-backed police force from the East African nation, and he remains held outside of Haiti.

The international community has urged the council to prioritize widespread insecurity in Haiti. Even before the attacks began, gangs were already controlling 80% of Port-au-Prince. The number of people killed in early 2024 has increased by more than 50% compared to the same period last year, according to a recent United Nations report.