Haiti’s newly appointed prime minister, Garry Conille, was hospitalized late Saturday in Port-au-Prince, just days after arriving in the country, the government announced.
The reason for Conille’s hospitalization was not immediately disclosed.
In a statement, the prime minister’s office said Conille was feeling slightly unwell “following a week of intense activities.” It confirmed that he was stable and thanked those who visited and wished him well.
According to reports, Louis Gérald Gilles, a member of the transitional presidential council that selected Conille, could not provide further details.
A source close to Conille, speaking anonymously, mentioned that the prime minister, who is asthmatic and uses an inhaler, appeared to have difficulty breathing. High-ranking officials were alerted and arranged for Conille to be taken to the hospital.
Conille, appointed prime minister on May 28 after a complex selection process, faces significant challenges, including tackling widespread gang violence as Haiti prepares for the arrival of a U.N.-backed Kenyan police force.
This deployment was delayed in part due to Haiti’s lack of a prime minister after former Prime Minister Ariel Henry stepped down in April.
Conille arrived in Haiti on June 1, having recently served as UNICEF’s regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean.
He previously held the position of prime minister from October 2011 to May 2012 under President Michel Martelly.
Since his arrival, Conille has been actively meeting officials and visiting different areas of Port-au-Prince.
He recently toured Haiti’s main international airport, which had been closed for nearly three months due to gang violence, and met with leaders of the private sector and telecommunications companies.
Conille has also been involved in discussions with the transitional council regarding the formation of Haiti’s new Cabinet.
