Haitian President Jovini Moyes left his silence on Thursday after a week of violent protests calling for his resignation that killed seven people.
"I will not leave the country in the hands of armed gangs and drug traffickers," Moyes said in a recorded speech on state television, speaking in Creole following clashes between government troops and protesters in the capital Port-au-Prince.
Meanwhile, the State Department announced the recall of all "non-essential personnel" from Haiti and warned Americans not to travel to a country steeped in a deep political crisis and violent protests.
"There are now massive, violent and unpredictable protests in Port-au-Prince and elsewhere in Haiti, and because of these demonstrations on February 14, 2019, the State Department ordered all non-essential American staff to leave with their family members," she said in a statement.
At least seven people have died in protests in Haiti a week ago.
Since February 7, Haiti has been facing a deep political crisis and mass demonstrations, often marred by clashes between police and protesters demanding the departure of President Moyes.
The protests paralyzed the capital Port-au-Prince and other major cities.
Faced with poverty and inflation of more than 15 percent two years ago, public anger has fueled a report by the Audit Service on the poor management of expenses and the possible misappropriation of funds lent by Venezuela to Haiti in 2008 to finance its economic and social development.
The report accuses some 15 ministers and former officials, and points out that a company that was run by the current president, Moyes, benefited from funds to build a road without signing a contract.
During his campaign, Moyes promised to secure "food and money for all", but the majority of Haitians are still struggling for a living.
