Port-au-Prince. Crowds of people fled one of the few communities in Haiti’s capital that had not previously been taken over by gangs on Thursday, part of a surge in violence this week as gangs take advantage of the country’s political turmoil.
Families frantically packed mattresses and furniture into cars and carried their belongings on their heads as they left the Solino neighborhood, one of the few areas in Port-au-Prince where a coalition of gangs, called Viv Ansanm, and police were involved in a violent armed confrontation. during the last few days.
Violence has erupted in the capital after Haiti fired and replaced its interim prime minister amid political infighting and corruption allegations against members of a transitional council created to restore democratic order in Haiti.
The Caribbean nation has not held elections since 2016, largely due to gang violence.
Gangs like the Viv Ansanm coalition often take advantage of moments of political chaos to carry out power grabs like the one seen in Solino in recent days. Gangs also largely shut down the country’s main airport by shooting at several planes, wounding a flight attendant on Monday.
The United Nations said it documented 20 armed clashes in Port-au-Prince in just one day.
The UN estimates that gangs control 85 percent of the city.
The country’s new interim prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, has largely remained silent about the violence since taking office on Monday, but on Wednesday he issued a statement condemning the plane shootings.
His office said it ordered police to regain control of the airport and nearby areas. Meanwhile, videos on social media show smoke rising from the area and gunshots have echoed through the streets of Solino in recent days.
Although it was not immediately clear how many people were fleeing the violence in Solino, it appeared that much of the neighborhood was emptying. Residents said they were leaving after gangs killed a police officer, known as a community leader who fought gangs in the neighborhood.
That murder was also reported by local media, although The Associated Press could not confirm the death with authorities. In October, the same coalition of gangs made a similar violent push in the Solino neighborhood, burning homes and leaving many fleeing with everything they could carry or calling radio stations for help.
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#Gang #advance #forces #Haitians #flee #homes
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**What are the most effective strategies for international organizations to support the Haitian government in disarming and demobilizing gang members while also addressing the underlying socio-economic factors contributing to gang recruitment?**
## World Today News Exclusive: Mayhem in Haiti
**Introduction:**
Welcome back to World Today News. Tonight, we delve into the escalating crisis rocking Haiti, where gang violence is forcing thousands from their homes and overshadowing already deep political turmoil. We’re joined tonight by two experts: [Guest 1 Name], a leading researcher on Haitian politics and security, and [Guest 2 Name], a humanitarian aid worker with years of experience in Haiti.
**Section 1: Understanding the roots of the crisis**
**Host:** The situation in Haiti seems to be spiraling out of control. Could you help our viewers understand the historical and political context leading to this latest surge in violence? [Guest 1 Name], what are the key factors contributing to the rise of gangs and why are they able to assert such power?
**[Guest 1 responds]**
**Host:** [Guest 2], you work directly with the Haitian people. What are the most pressing concerns you’re seeing on the ground as a result of this crisis? How is this violence directly impacting the lives of ordinary Haitians?
**[Guest 2 responds]**
**Section 2: The political landscape and international response**
**Host:** The recent dismissal and replacement of Haiti’s interim prime minister adds another layer of complexity to this situation. [Guest 1], what are the political implications of this change in leadership, and how might it affect the government’s ability to address the security crisis?
**[Guest 1 responds]**
**Host:** The international community has been involved in Haiti for many years. [Guest 2], what role can international organizations and other countries play in bringing stability and security to Haiti? What forms of support are most needed?
**[Guest 2 responds]**
**Section 3: Looking ahead: Hope for the future?**
**Host:** Given the immense challenges Haiti faces, is there a path towards a peaceful and stable future? [Guest 1], what are some potential solutions that could address the underlying causes of this crisis?
**[Guest 1 responds]**
**Host:** [Guest 2], in the face of such immense suffering, what message of hope would you offer to the people of Haiti and those working tirelessly to support them?
**[Guest 2 responds]**
**Conclusion: **
This is a complex and urgent situation. The crisis in Haiti demands our attention and action. We thank our guests for sharing their expertise and insights.
**Host:** For those who want to learn more about the situation in Haiti and how they can help, we’ve compiled a list of resources on our website, world-today-news.com. Keep checking back for further updates on this developing story. We leave you with the hope that peace and stability will eventually return to Haiti.
