The personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Haiti are being evacuated from the capital city due to the escalating levels of gang violence: “Heightened gang violence in the neighborhood near U.S. Embassy compounds and near the airport led to the State Department’s decision to arrange for the departure of additional embassy personnel,” the embassy announced Sunday.
Just recently, The U.S. had had issued an immediate warning to its citizens that they should “depart Haiti as soon as possible by commercial or other privately available transportation options.”
Last month, Haiti witnessed the occurrence of jailbreaks masterminded by armed gangs in the country’s two biggest prisons. These criminal groups not only facilitated the escape of over 4,500 inmates, including influential gang leaders, but also demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. As the Haitian leader is currently out of the country, he is seeking support from the international community to establish a United Nations-endorsed security force. The United Nations has confirmed that this jailbreak was a consequence of “coordinated gang action against national institutions.”
Haiti has collapsed. The President is no longer in the country. The ports are officially closed. Cannibal gangs are besieging the national palace in Port-au-Prince. pic.twitter.com/xm2T5Scc5o
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 10, 2024
Haiti’s state of emergency and curfew were prolonged by authorities on Thursday amidst ongoing power struggles in Port-au-Prince. The city’s airport and main port remain shut, while the national police force, among other government institutions, are on the brink of collapse.
Criminal groups have specifically targeted and set fire to police stations. In late January, Reuters disclosed that Haiti’s national police force had lost close to 3,300 officers in approximately three years, based on data from trade unions. It is estimated that armed gangs dominate over 80 percent of the capital.
Since the beginning of 2024, nearly 1,200 individuals have lost their lives and close to 700 have been wounded in gang-related violence, as reported by the UN. In 2023, almost 4,000 people were killed and another 3,000 were abducted during the conflict.
Haiti is “on the cusp of even greater chaos and violence,” The Human Rights Watch announced. “The situation on the ground remains dire,” added CARICOM, a regional bloc that includes Haiti.
Haiti Gang leader Jimmy Cherisier aka Barbecue said if Haiti PN Ariel Henry doesn't resign Haiti will have a genocide, Barbecue went on to say if the Prime Minister insists on staying in power, they can all expect a civil war against Ariel and the ‘international community.’ pic.twitter.com/rnKVIZpbov
— V.O.H (@Knot73211261) March 12, 2024