Haiti Declares State of Emergency as Gangs Storm Prison and Unrest Grips Capital
In a shocking turn of events, the Haitian government has declared a state of emergency as severe unrest engulfs the capital city of Port-au-Prince. The chaos has disrupted communication networks and led to two jailbreaks, all while a prominent gang leader attempts to remove Prime Minister Ariel Henry from power. In response, the government has imposed an immediate curfew throughout the West territory for a renewable period of seventy-two hours.
The curfew will be in effect from 6 PM to 5 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday, March 3, 2024. The situation has already claimed the lives of at least five people and witnessed thousands of inmates fleeing Haiti’s main prison after armed gangs stormed the facility overnight. This jailbreak marks a new low in Haiti’s descent into violence, with gangs gaining greater control over the capital.
The timing of these events is particularly concerning as Prime Minister Ariel Henry is currently abroad, seeking support for a United Nations-backed security force to stabilize the country. The absence of leadership has allowed gangs to assert their dominance and wreak havoc on the city. The bodies of three individuals with gunshot wounds were found at the entrance of the prison, which was wide open and unguarded. Meanwhile, in another district, residents encountered roadblocks made of flaming tires and came across the blood-stained bodies of two men with their hands bound behind them.
Arnel Remy, a human rights attorney who heads a non-profit organization working inside the prisons, revealed that fewer than 100 inmates remain behind bars out of nearly 4,000. Among those who chose to stay are 18 former Colombian soldiers accused of being involved in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. In a desperate plea for help, several of these Colombians shared a video on social media, highlighting the indiscriminate violence occurring inside the cells.
Amidst the chaos, even the police have appealed for assistance. A union representing Haitian police posted a message on social media, calling for mobilization of the army and police to prevent further breaches of the prison. The armed clashes are part of a series of violent protests that have been escalating, particularly since Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s departure to Kenya. Henry has been attempting to salvage a proposed security mission in Haiti led by Kenya, but his absence has emboldened the gangs.
The violence reached a new level when gunmen opened fire on targets, including Haiti’s international airport, resulting in the deaths of four police officers. Gang members also seized control of two police stations, causing civilians to flee and businesses and schools to close. The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince responded to the violence by temporarily halting all official travel to Haiti.
Haiti’s National Police, consisting of approximately 9,000 officers, struggles to provide security for over 11 million people. They are consistently overwhelmed and outgunned by powerful gangs that reportedly control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince. Jimmy Chérizier, a former elite police officer known as Barbecue, who now leads a gang federation, has claimed responsibility for the surge in attacks. His goal is to capture Haiti’s police chief and government ministers and prevent Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s return.
Despite calls for his resignation, Prime Minister Henry remains resolute and has signed reciprocal agreements with Kenyan President William Ruto in an attempt to salvage the plan to deploy Kenyan police to Haiti. However, the proposed deployment faced constitutional challenges in Kenya, as the original deal lacked reciprocal agreements between the two countries.
The ongoing violence poses significant challenges to stabilizing Haiti and paving the way for elections. Caribbean leaders announced that Prime Minister Ariel Henry had agreed to schedule a vote by mid-2025, a date that is likely to further enrage his opponents. As the country grapples with this wave of unrest, the future remains uncertain, and the people of Haiti yearn for peace and stability.