Heavily Armed Gangs Target Haiti’s Main International Airport
Escalating Violence Grips Haiti as Gangs Attack Essential Infrastructure
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — In a surge of violence that continues to engulf Haiti, heavily armed gangs launched a daring attempt to seize control of the country’s main international airport on Monday. The Toussaint Louverture International Airport, located in the capital of Port-au-Prince, witnessed a fierce exchange of gunfire between the police, soldiers, and the armed gangs. The attack, the largest ever on the airport, underscores the growing threat of criminal organizations on Haiti’s key government sites.
The brazen assault occurred at a time when the airport was temporarily closed and devoid of any planes or on-site passengers. Scores of employees fled in panic as the gangs opened fire. AP journalists at the scene witnessed an armored truck on the tarmac, engaging the assailants in an effort to ward off their infiltration onto airport grounds. Thankfully, the gangs failed to enter or seize control of the airport, but the attack further highlights the vulnerable state of the country’s critical infrastructure.
Escaped Inmates and a Nationwide State of Emergency
The attack on the airport comes in the wake of a mass breakout from Haiti’s two largest prisons. Armed gang members successfully overran the facilities, freeing thousands of inmates over the weekend. In response, the Haitian authorities have imposed a 72-hour state of emergency and issued a nationwide curfew. The escapees, many of whom were in pre-trial detention and involved in serious crimes such as murder and kidnapping, pose a significant threat to public safety.
Haiti, already plagued by skyrocketing crime rates, is grappling with a deeply deteriorating security situation in Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs control estimated up to 80% of the capital. Their escalating attacks now target vital institutions, including the Central Bank. These gangs are increasingly coordinating and operating with a level of audacity that was once considered unimaginable.
International Allies Rally to Stabilize Haiti
In an effort to stabilize the country besieged by rising violence, Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who assumed office after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, sought support for a United Nations-backed security force during his recent visit to Kenya. The alarming situation has prompted U.N. Secretary-General to express deep concern and stress the urgent need for financial support to tackle the pressing security requirements of the Haitian people, lest the country plunges further into chaos.
Haiti’s National Police force, already overwhelmed and outgunned, consists of approximately 9,000 officers tasked with safeguarding the security of over 11 million people. The recent outbreak of violence, including targeted attacks on state institutions, such as the airport and the national soccer stadium, has further highlighted the dire need for immediate action.
Mass Prison Escape and Pleas for Help
During the prison raid, all but 98 of the 3,798 inmates at the National Penitentiary escaped, creating serious concerns for the safety of judges, prosecutors, and other officials associated with the legal system. The Office of Citizen Protection condemned the government’s nonchalant response to the attacks, stressing the urgency of the situation. Escaped inmates from the prisons, including convict mercenaries involved in President Moïse’s assassination, pose an ongoing risk to public safety and security.
Simultaneously, another prison located in Port-au-Prince housing approximately 1,400 inmates also suffered from an overwhelming assault.
U.S. Urges Immediate Actions for American Citizens
Following the attack on the airport, the United States Embassy in Haiti suspended all official travel to the country, subsequently advising American citizens to leave as soon as possible. Although the Biden administration has refrained from committing soldiers to a multinational force in Haiti, it has offered financial and logistical support.
Haiti’s recent surge in violence and attacks on critical infrastructure coincide with the prime minister’s visit to Kenya to advance the proposed U.N.-backed security mission. However, with ongoing protests and the emergence of powerful gang federations, headed by figures like Jimmy Chérizier, also known as Barbecue, stability and a safe return for the prime ministerare far from assured.
The situation in Haiti remains deeply alarming as the city of Port-au-Prince descends further into chaos. Haiti’s citizens, exhausted and living in constant fear, desperately seek international support and intervention to restore stability and security.
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Associated Press writers Joshua Goodman in Miami and Dánica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed to this report.
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Follow AP’s coverage of the situation in Haiti at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
