Port-au-Prince, Haiti – Heavily armed gangs made a brazen attempt to seize control of Haiti’s main international airport, engaging in a fierce shootout with police and soldiers. This violent attack is part of a widespread escalation of violence, which also includes a mass escape from the country’s two largest prisons. Following the airport assault, a nearby police academy faced a similar armed gang attack.
Amid the chaos, the Toussaint Louverture International Airport was forced to shut down, with no planes in operation and no passengers present. Journalists from the Associated Press witnessed armored vehicles on the tarmac engaging in a confrontation with gangs, while airport employees and other workers dashed for safety from the flying bullets.
The violence in Haiti intensified last week, leading to disturbances at the airport and other key government establishments. The situation prompted authorities to impose a nighttime curfew in response to the growing unrest perpetuated by armed gang members. The attacks on state institutions, including prisons and the airport, have raised serious concerns about the security crisis in the country.
In the midst of the turmoil, Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s absence as the violence escalates has raised questions about the government’s ability to address the crisis. Haiti’s National Police force, already overpowered by gangs controlling much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, is struggling to maintain order.
The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Haiti and urged urgent action to prevent further chaos. The recent surge in violence, marked by prison breakouts and armed attacks, underscores the need for immediate international support to stabilize the situation and protect the Haitian population.
As armed gangs continue to wreak havoc in Haiti, displacing thousands of people and instigating widespread fear, the urgent call for assistance grows louder. Navigating through a maze of violence and insecurity, Haitian Americans find themselves trapped in the country, facing uncertainty and danger with each passing day. The ongoing turmoil in Haiti underscores the desperate need for swift and effective intervention to restore peace and stability to the beleaguered nation.