Haiti Declares State of Emergency and Curfew as Thousands of Dangerous Criminals Escape from Jails
In a shocking turn of events, Haiti has declared a three-day state of emergency and implemented a night-time curfew after armed gangs stormed the country’s two largest prisons, resulting in the escape of over 3,000 dangerous criminals. Among the escaped prisoners are murderers and kidnappers, posing a significant threat to the already violence-racked Caribbean nation.
The finance minister, Patrick Boisvert, who is currently in charge while Prime Minister Ariel Henry seeks support for a UN-backed security force, has assured the public that the police will utilize all legal means at their disposal to recapture the prisoners and enforce the curfew. However, the situation remains dire as Jimmy Chérizier, a former elite police officer known as Barbecue and leader of a gang federation, has claimed responsibility for the surge in attacks. Chérizier’s goal is to capture Haiti’s police chief and government ministers to prevent Henry’s return.
The declaration of a state of emergency comes after a deadly weekend that witnessed a new low in Haiti’s spiral of violence. Nine people, including four police officers, were killed since Thursday in various attacks targeting police stations, the international airport, and even the national football stadium. The situation reached its peak on Saturday when armed gangs attacked the national penitentiary in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.
The attack on the penitentiary resulted in the escape of almost all of the estimated 4,000 inmates, leaving the prison eerily empty with no guards in sight. The aftermath of the attack revealed a scene of chaos, with plastic sandals, clothing, and furniture strewn across the concrete patio. Three bodies with gunshot wounds were found at the prison entrance. Additionally, in another neighborhood, the bloodied corpses of two men were discovered with their hands tied behind their backs.
The exact number of escaped inmates remains unclear, but it is believed that the overwhelming majority managed to flee. The national penitentiary, designed to hold 700 prisoners, was already overcrowded with 3,687 inmates as of February last year. Arnel Remy, a human rights lawyer working inside the prison, stated that fewer than 100 inmates remained behind bars.
The gravity of the situation is further emphasized by the fact that even the 18 former Colombian soldiers accused of involvement in the assassination of Haiti’s former president, Jovenel Moïse, chose to stay behind. In a desperate plea for their lives, several of the Colombians shared a video on social media, highlighting the indiscriminate killings taking place inside the cells.
The violence on Saturday night extended beyond the prison break, with widespread reports of gunfire in several neighborhoods. Furthermore, internet service for many residents was disrupted due to a slashed fiber optic cable connection caused by the rampage. However, field teams managed to restore the connection fully on Sunday afternoon.
These recent events mark a disturbing trend in Haiti, with gangs coordinating their actions and targeting once unthinkable locations such as the central bank. Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who assumed office following Moïse’s assassination, has repeatedly postponed plans for parliamentary and presidential elections, which have not taken place in nearly a decade. Despite calls for his resignation, Henry has remained steadfast and has not commented on whether he feels it is safe to return home.
Haiti’s national police force, consisting of approximately 9,000 officers, is overwhelmed and outgunned by the gangs that control up to 80% of the capital. The United States embassy has halted all official travel to Haiti after gangs opened fire at the international airport. The Biden administration has offered financial and logistical support but has refrained from committing troops to a multinational force.
The United Nations has emphasized the urgent need for member nations to support and deploy a multinational security force to address the escalating violence in Haiti. The deteriorating security situation has left civilians trapped and suffering on a daily basis, with schools closed, hospitals non-functional, and people living in fear.
As Haiti grapples with this unprecedented crisis, the international community must come together to provide the necessary assistance and support to restore stability and ensure the safety of the Haitian people. The road to recovery will be long and arduous, but with concerted efforts, there is hope for a brighter future for this violence-plagued nation.