Haiti Imposes Nighttime Curfew as Gangs Lead Mass Prison Break and Demand Prime Minister’s Resignation
In a shocking turn of events, Haiti has been plunged into chaos as armed gangs orchestrated a massive prison break and demanded the resignation of the country’s prime minister, Ariel Henry. The situation has escalated to the point where a nighttime curfew has been imposed, and the country is under a state of emergency.
The turmoil began with an attack on the National Penitentiary, Haiti’s largest prison, by gunmen late Saturday. This brazen assault allowed a significant number of inmates, estimated to be around 4,000, to escape. Finance Minister Patrick Boivert revealed the extent of the violence, accusing Haitian gangs of various criminal acts, including kidnapping, assassinations, violence against women and children, and attacks on prisons.
To address the escalating crisis, a renewable 72-hour state of emergency was declared on Sunday, accompanied by a nighttime curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The authorities have instructed the police to use all legal means at their disposal to enforce the curfew and apprehend offenders. However, with gangs like the G9 Family and Allies alliance, led by former police officer Jimmy Chérizier, gaining control over up to 80 percent of Port-au-Prince, the capital city, restoring order seems like an uphill battle.
The situation in Haiti has been dire for some time now, with a surge in violence resulting in 4,789 homicides last year alone, according to the United Nations. The power wielded by these criminal factions has reached alarming levels, posing a significant threat to the stability and security of the nation.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s absence from the country during this critical period has raised concerns. He left Haiti last week to seek support for an international security force from the United Nations. In Nairobi, Kenya, Henry attended a signing ceremony for reciprocal agreements that would potentially allow 1,000 Kenyan police officers to be deployed to Haiti as part of a U.N.-backed international police force.
However, the Kenyan Supreme Court ruled that the agreement to send police officers to Haiti would be unconstitutional, as Kenya’s National Police Force cannot be deployed outside the country without reciprocal agreements. This setback has further complicated Henry’s efforts to address the security crisis in his homeland.
During a lecture at Kenya’s United States International University, Henry emphasized the need for democratic governance and elections to stabilize Haiti. He stressed that attracting investments to the country would require a stable political environment.
Unfortunately, Haiti has been grappling with a lack of elected officials in power for nearly a decade, and the absence of regular elections has only exacerbated the country’s challenges. While Caribbean leaders have announced an agreement for general elections to be held by mid-2025, security concerns loom large over the feasibility of such a commitment.
The United States, under the Biden administration, has chosen not to deploy troops to Haiti as part of an international force. Instead, their focus is on providing other forms of aid. The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince issued a security alert advising American citizens to leave Haiti as soon as possible due to the escalating gang-related violence and its impact on transportation and infrastructure.
The situation in Haiti remains precarious, with the prime minister expected to return to the country soon. The United States has emphasized the importance of his return and called for him to be allowed to do so safely. The international community is closely monitoring the developments in Haiti, condemning the efforts by gangs to further destabilize and take control of the nation.
Adding to the chaos, internet service in Haiti experienced disruptions, with Digicel, a Caribbean company, reporting that violent clashes in the Cazeau area of Port-au-Prince had led to a connection being cut. However, the company managed to restore the connection, thanks to the tireless efforts of their technicians working under precarious conditions.
As Haiti grapples with this unprecedented crisis, the future remains uncertain. The country’s leaders must find a way to restore order, hold elections, and address the underlying issues that have allowed gangs to gain such power. The international community must also step up its support to ensure the stability and security of Haiti, preventing further suffering for its people.