Haiti’s Capital Under Siege as Gang Violence Escalates
The Caribbean nation of Haiti is facing a dire situation as gang violence in its capital city, Port-au-Prince, continues to escalate. The city has been gripped by a wave of highly coordinated attacks on law enforcement and state institutions, orchestrated by gangs led by Jimmy Cherizier. Cherizier has openly declared his intention to overthrow Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s government, warning of a potential civil war and genocide if his demands are not met.
The violence reached a new level on Friday night when armed individuals attacked two police stations near Haiti’s National Palace. The situation remains volatile, and authorities are working tirelessly to regain control. A security source in Port-au-Prince stated, “We are still working to get the situation under control as soon as possible. We are doing our best with what we have.”
The chaos has forced the Haitian government to declare a state of emergency in the country’s West Region and the capital city, which will last until April 3. A curfew is also in effect until March 10. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes due to the violence, adding to the already staggering number of over 300,000 internally displaced by gang violence.
The situation has taken a toll on essential services and infrastructure. Gangs have burned down police stations and released thousands of inmates from two prisons. Hospitals have also been targeted, leaving only one public hospital operational in Port-au-Prince’s metropolitan area. Sophie Mealier, head of Doctors without Borders in Haiti, expressed concern about the lack of necessities for displaced civilians, stating, “There is no toilet available, no shower available, no water available…they cannot stay for long.”
The international community is closely monitoring the situation in Haiti. The United Nations has voiced deep concern over the deteriorating security situation and ongoing gang violence. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, “We remain deeply concerned by the rapidly deteriorating security situation amid ongoing gang violence and sporadic confrontations between heavily armed gangs and police forces.”
Neighboring countries are also taking notice. Canada reported a protest outside its embassy, while the United States is exploring contingency options at its embassy in Haiti. CARICOM, a regional bloc of 25 countries, including Haiti, is set to hold a meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, to discuss the situation. It remains uncertain if Prime Minister Ariel Henry will attend the meeting.
The situation in Haiti is dire, with no end in sight. Pierre Espérance, Executive Director of the Haitian Human Rights Defense Network, described the country as “chaotic” and “completely collapsed.” The international community must come together to support Haiti and find a solution to this escalating crisis before it plunges the nation further into turmoil.