Haiti's Aug. 14 earthquake will likely exacerbate its political and economic crises, and may allow interim President Ariel Henry to consolidate power. On Aug. 14, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the Tiburon Peninsula in the nation's southwest, affecting the cities of Les Cayes and Jacmel. As of the evening of Aug. 15, officials said the quake had left 1,297 people dead, 5,700 injured and 30,250 families homeless, figures likely to increase as relief efforts continue. In Les Cayes, the main supermarket and several smaller grocery stores collapsed during the earthquake, leaving roughly 500,000 people without access to potable water or food. 

• The peninsula accounts for roughly 16% of Haiti's population of 11 million.

The earthquake will worsen Haiti's political and economic crises. Several politicians fought for control in the wake of the July 7 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, but Henry ultimately emerged as interim president. During his short time as president, Moise had moved to dismantle the country's weak democratic institutions, leading to a consolidation of power in the executive branch. Haiti — the country with the lowest gross domestic product in the Western Hemisphere — was meanwhile experiencing an economic crisis even before the COVID-19 pandemic made matters much worse by causing food shortages across the country. The earthquake will now necessitate costly relief and rebuilding efforts on the peninsula. 

• Former Prime Minister Claude Joseph claimed power following Moise's assassination until July 19, when the United States and France pressured him to step down in favor of Henry.
• In January 2020, Moise failed to hold parliamentary elections as required by law, governing by presidential decree until his death.

Henry will likely use the earthquake to delay elections and coordinate foreign relief efforts to serve his interests. Henry had already postponed the presidential vote several times before the quake, and has now indicated the quake requires postponing them again. He may also seek to consolidate power by politicizing international aid. Many foreign powers, including Washington and Taipei, have already pledged aid. Henry already has asserted that nongovernmental organizations, the private sector and government relief efforts should be coordinated through the Office of Civil Protection, which sits under the president. 

• In an Aug. 15 interview with the Miami Herald, Henry stated, "we do not have an election calendar," when questioned about the current election dates. He added that Haiti, "will have elections," but that he is "trying to get a political accord among the country's opposing politicians so that transparent, credible and fair elections can be held."