- Gangs initiate massive jailbreak
- Aim to oust Prime Minister Henry
- Violence surges, US embassy warns
The Haitian government proclaimed a 72-hour state of emergency on Sunday after the incursion of armed gangs into a prominent prison in Port-au-Prince. During the jailbreak, approximately 3,700 inmates escaped, and at least 12 people were murdered.
According to gang leaders, they intend to compel the resignation of the foreign-traveling prime minister, Ariel Henry.
The opposition groups dominate approximately 80% of Port-au-Prince.
For many years, gang violence has afflicted Haiti.
Two prisons, one in the capital and the other in nearby Croix des Bouquets, were attacked over the weekend, according to a government statement.
It stated that the “disobedience” activities threatened national security and that an emergency nighttime curfew would be implemented in response; the curfew commenced at 20:00 local time (01:00 GMT on Monday).
Preceding the coordinated assault on the jails, other police stations were reportedly assaulted, distracting authorities, according to Haitian media.
Gang Violence Escalates in Haiti
Gang members who were detained in Port-au-Prince were those who were accused of involvement in the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
The latest outbreak of violence commenced on Thursday, during which the prime minister visited Nairobi for deliberations regarding deploying a multinational security force commanded by Kenya to Haiti.
To eliminate him, gang commander Jimmy Chérizier (also known as “Barbecue”) ordered a coordinated assault.
The former police officer, suspected of orchestrating multiple massacres in Port-au-Prince, stated, “We are all united—armed groups in the capital and the provincial towns.”
The police union of Haiti had requested military assistance in fortifying the principal prison in the capital, but the compound was stormed late Saturday night.
Reuters reported that the prison’s entrance remained unlocked as of Sunday, and no evident officers were present. Three fugitives were found deceased in the courtyard, according to the report.
An AFP journalist who visited the prison observed approximately ten corpses, some of which bore bullet wounds.
Escalating Crisis and Political Turmoil
A volunteer prison employee informed Reuters that 99 inmates, including former Colombian soldiers incarcerated in connection with the assassination of President Moïse, had elected to remain in their cells due to the risk of being slain in the ensuing gunfire.
Sunday, the United States embassy in Port-au-Prince warned its citizens to evacuate Haiti “immediately.” The French embassy announced that visa services would be discontinued “precautionarily.”
Even though gangs have plagued Haiti for years, the level of violence has increased significantly since the assassination of President Moise in his residence in 2021. Since 2016, neither he nor any elections have been held in his place.
Per a political agreement, Mr. Henry was obligated to resign on February 7th. However, unscheduled elections occurred, and he continues to hold office.
Kenyan authorities announced the prime minister’s return to Haiti on Monday.
Claude Joseph, who was interim prime minister at the time of President Moïse’s assassination and is now the leader of the opposition party Those Committed to Development, said that Haiti was experiencing a “nightmare.”
Mr. Joseph stated that Prime Minister Henry desired to “maintain power for as long as possible.”
“He consented to resign on February 7th.” He makes the regrettable decision to remain in office, notwithstanding the widespread nationwide demonstrations demanding his resignation. Regrettably, these offenders are resorting to violent methods in an attempt to coerce him into resigning.
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As of January, the United Nations reported that gang violence in Haiti claimed the lives, injured, and abducted over 8,400 individuals in the previous year; this figure is more than double what it was in 2022.
Numerous medical facilities have ceased operations as a result of the violence.
In addition to the political void, anger over the appalling levels of violence has sparked numerous protests against the government, with demonstrators demanding the prime minister’s resignation.
