Gangs Set Fire to Police Stations in Haiti’s Capital Amid Ongoing Unrest
The Caribbean nation of Haiti is currently facing a wave of violence and unrest as gangs continue to target police stations in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. The latest incident occurred at the police station located in the bustling Salomon market, according to local media reports. This comes as the three-day state of emergency declared by the government has been extended for an additional month.
The situation escalated when Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry left for a regional summit last week, leaving the city vulnerable to increased attacks from gangs. The ongoing violence has resulted in the paralysis of air traffic, preventing the prime minister from returning to Port-au-Prince. In a failed attempt to come back on Tuesday, Mr. Henry ended up in Puerto Rico instead, as the international airport in the Haitian capital was closed due to soldiers repelling gunmen trying to seize it. Even neighboring Dominican Republic denied entry to the prime minister’s plane, citing a lack of necessary flight plans.
Since his visit to Kenya, where he met with President William Ruto to discuss a potential multinational force to restore order in Haiti, Mr. Henry has not made any public statements. The agreement between Haiti and Kenya would allow for 2,000 Kenyan police officers to be sent to Haiti. However, a Kenyan opposition politician plans to challenge the deal in court, raising concerns among Kenyan police officers who have volunteered for the deployment. Some officers have withdrawn from the mission due to the recent surge in violence and a lack of clarity regarding their role.
The gangs in Port-au-Prince have taken advantage of Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s absence to carry out coordinated attacks across the city. Their targets have included the airport, which they seek to control in order to prevent Mr. Henry’s return, as well as two prisons from which they freed thousands of inmates. Additionally, they have set fire to the peace court in Croix-des-Bouquets and looted or destroyed over 20 other buildings, according to reports from The National Human Rights Defense Network.
The violence has had devastating consequences for the people of Haiti, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis in the country. Aid groups estimate that over 15,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes in the past week alone. Ulrika Richardson, the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti, described the situation as “extremely dire and very alarming.” The capital city is paralyzed, with schools and many hospitals closed due to a lack of equipment or staff being unable to reach their workplaces.
The gangs responsible for the attacks have not explicitly stated their goals beyond the removal of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, a former police officer who leads an alliance of gangs called G9, has issued a threat, warning of a potential “civil war” and even “genocide” if Mr. Henry does not step down.
Caribbean nations, along with the United States, have called on Mr. Henry to take decisive action and work towards a political resolution. Irfaan Ali, the president of Guyana and current chair of regional body Caricom, emphasized the need for a political solution to stabilize security and address the humanitarian crisis. Despite round-the-clock efforts to reach a consensus between various stakeholders in Haiti, including the government, opposition figures, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, and religious leaders, no agreement has been reached thus far.
The situation in Haiti remains tense and uncertain as gangs continue their attacks on police stations and other key institutions. The international community is closely monitoring the developments and urging for swift action to restore stability and ensure the safety and well-being of the Haitian people.