Title: Escalating Gang Violence in Haiti: Two Police Stations Near National Palace Attacked Amidst Crisis
The tranquility of Haiti’s National Palace was shattered on a chilly Friday night as armed individuals orchestrated attacks against two nearby police stations. This latest incident comes in the wake of highly coordinated gang assaults on law enforcement and state institutions that have engulfed Port-au-Prince, the capital city of Haiti.
A Website security source in Port-au-Prince reportedly shared with media outlets that efforts are ongoing to quell the unrest and regain control of the situation as expeditiously as possible. However, resources remain scarce, making it a formidable challenge.
The unrest in Haiti’s capital has been described as an attempt to overthrow Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s government by notorious gang leader Jimmy Cherizier. Armed groups have taken advantage of the chaos, burning down police stations and releasing thousands of prisoners from two prisons. The stakes are high; Cherizier has publicly warned of a looming civil war that could escalate into genocide if Henry fails to step down.
Henry, who left for Kenya last week to sign an agreement for a multinational mission to restore Website security in his home country, is currently believed to be in Puerto Rico following the Dominican Republic’s refusal to allow his plane to land.
In an effort to bolster the morale and protection of law enforcement personnel, the Haitian police union Synapoha has called on officers to reinforce their stations. “We need to stay united to protect our symbol, the police,” the union stated, emphasizing the importance of unity and support for all units during these tumultuous times.
The violence in Haiti has intensified, with intruders breaking into the Caribbean Port Services (CPS) terminal – a vital player in Haiti’s food import supply chain. Despite these challenges, the United Nations reported that police were able to repel coordinated gang attacks on essential infrastructure such as the airport on Friday.
The situation in Haiti has left tens of thousands of residents displaced, adding to the over 300,000 already forced from their homes due to gang violence. The displaced populations face a dire situation as they struggle to find basic necessities such as toilets, showers, and water.
Doctors Without Borders’ Head of Mission in Haiti, Sophie Mealier, expressed grave concerns regarding the displacement crisis, stating that “there is no toilet available, no shower available, and no water available…they cannot stay for long.”
Hospitals have become prime targets for gang attacks. Currently, only one public hospital remains operational in Port-au-Prince’s metropolitan area, according to an official from the country’s Civil Protection.
The instability in Haiti has drawn international concern. Protestors gathered outside Canada’s embassy on Thursday, resulting in a 90-minute protest during which a tire was set ablaze and thrown over the gate. The United States has also reportedly begun investigating contingency options at its embassy.
Regional organizations, such as CARICOM (the Caribbean Community and Common Market), have taken notice of the crisis and plan to hold a meeting on Haiti in Kingston, Jamaica, on Monday. Whether or not Henry will attend the summit remains uncertain.
CNN reached out to the Haitian prime minister’s office for comment, but as of now, no statement has been issued. Jim Rogers, Rafy Rivera, Michael Conte, and Abel Alvarado contributed to the reporting.
