Chaos in Port-au-Prince: Delays in International Intervention for Haiti

A woman quickly guides her young child into a waiting car, holding his hand tightly as she shields his eyes. Other family members follow, carrying heavy suitcases and avoiding looking at the scene before them. Despite the dangers of driving through gang-controlled roads, they are leaving the city.

The reason for their hasty departure is the sight in front of their house: a burned corpse, believed to be a gang member killed by their neighbors. The body is positioned as if in a plea, with metal wires wrapped around the charred remains. This grim discovery marks the fourth such corpse witnessed by CNN in just two days.

Just up the hill, another mother is rushing toward a waiting helicopter holding her infant. Eyewitnesses tell CNN that she left her car seat behind, urged to move quickly by armed guards. The unauthorized helicopter landing is attracting attention; video of the flight shows a fight breaking out on the ground as the chopper lifts off.

They’re fleeing anarchy. Until yesterday, people like these were the holdouts; the ones who had a choice but stayed until Port-au-Prince became unbearable. Now even they are leaving amid an unprecedented frenzy of terror in the Caribbean nation.

Haiti’s capital has been engulfed in a violent cycle for the past three weeks, surpassing the existing issues of kidnapping and gang violence. A league of heavily armed gangs is attacking the city, aiming to expand their territory and target police and government institutions. In response, fearful residents are forming vigilante groups to protect their neighborhoods by blocking off entrances and taking extreme measures against suspected gang members.

Despite the chaos and human remains scattered on the streets, the promised multinational security mission that was supposed to address Haiti’s gang problem is nowhere to be seen.

Burned out vehicles on the streets of Port-au-Prince.

Burned out vehicles on the streets of Port-au-Prince.

Evelio Contreras/CNN

Warning after warning

Haiti had the opportunity to change its path. Prime Minister Ariel Henry asked for foreign military help almost 18 months ago. During this time, gangs have increased their control over about 80% of the city.

There were other chances to make a difference too. The United Nations Security Council approved a military support mission almost six months ago, supported by the United States. Additionally, the foreign minister of the Dominican Republic, Roberto Alvarez, warned the council two months ago that Haiti was on the brink of a crisis.

Haiti's gangs started a wave of violence in late February, calling for the resignation of the unpopular prime minister. He stepped down, but the violence has not stopped.

It has been ten days since CARICOM stated that Haiti would establish a transitional council, but no members have been appointed yet. Tragically, the killings persist daily.

Leslie Voltaire, a candidate for the transitional council, expressed his frustration to CNN on Thursday about the slow progress of the political process as gangs continued to expand their control.

He mentioned that he believed a transitional council could be established within the next 24 hours. However, he anticipated that the subsequent steps, such as appointing a prime minister within a week and forming a national security council, would take longer.

The reopening of Haiti’s port and airport could happen within the first 100 days, according to the World Food Programme. This could be a long wait for a country where nearly half of the population doesn't have enough food to eat.

A man with a machete in Port-au-Prince, where vigilante groups say they must kill or be killed.

A man with a machete in Port-au-Prince, where vigilante groups say they must kill or be killed.

Evelio Contreras/CNN

Police are requesting additional support as much of Haiti's government has collapsed. Gangs have taken over the courts, prisons are unattended, and the prime minister is in exile while the finance minister is filling in. The Ministry of Communications buildings are crowded with refugees escaping gang violence. Children sit on the floor and play on rolling desk chairs in the front office.

Haiti’s National Police is considered the only fully functioning state institution remaining. However, they are facing challenges as they are lacking necessary resources and are stretched thin. Despite this, they continue to confront gang attacks on a daily basis, engaging in gun battles that reverberate across the city. The police are constantly moving from one neighborhood to another, trying to push back the gangs who are reclaiming their territory.

According to multiple police officers interviewed by CNN, they are struggling with inadequate resources to sustain their efforts. Garry Jean Baptiste, an adviser to the Haitian National Police Union 17, expressed their readiness to defend the country but highlighted the lack of leadership, deteriorating equipment, and the urgent need for air and marine support.

Only around 30% to 40% of the police officers have bullet-proof vests, and on average, they are paid less than $200 per month. The concern is that with the government unstable and morale low among the ranks, there is a fear that the multinational force may not succeed.

The multinational force, which is anticipated to be headed by Kenya, will consist of personnel from Kenya, Jamaica, Benin, Bahamas, Barbados, and Chad.

Baptiste expressed readiness to support the multinational force. He emphasized willingness to collaborate but pointed out the absence of a clear plan for the mission, which may lead to failure due to a lack of coordination.

The city faces complex security and humanitarian challenges, with experts highlighting the urgent need for clean water and food. The priority now is to restore operations at Port-au-Prince's port and airport. However, this requires reclaiming territory and establishing safe transport routes in a city divided among different gang territories.

In a sign of the uncertainty surrounding Haiti's capability to combat gangs, council candidate Voltaire suggested that the next government could think about utilizing private security firms. He also mentioned that bounty hunters could target gang leaders.

A bullet lies on a street in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital.

A bullet lies on a street in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital.

Evelio Contreras/CNN

A controversial solution

Inviting foreign forces to help Haiti break the gangs' control is a possibility, but it comes with political challenges.

A man shared his frustration with CNN, blaming the international community for Haiti's current situation. He expressed how for over 200 years, they have not allowed Haiti to thrive independently. He made these comments while observing a charred body on the street from his motorbike.

Enslaved people in Haiti rebelled against harsh French colonial rule and established the world’s first free Black republic in 1804. However, they faced isolation from the international community for many years.

He questioned why CARICOM, rather than the Haitian people themselves, was making decisions for Haiti.

Given the crisis in Port-au-Prince, even those who were against foreign intervention may now be reconsidering. Haiti's ambassador to UNESCO in Paris, Dominique Dupuy, expressed that Haiti has no other options but to seek help from its "bloody nightmare."

Dupuy mentioned that they are in a difficult situation and can see the influence of those who contributed to it. He also highlighted the possibility of these same individuals extending a helping hand if they choose to do so.

Evelio Contreras/CNN

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Vigilantes battle gangs in Port-au-Prince as Haiti’s elites vie for power

In the upscale neighborhood of Petion-Ville in Port-au-Prince, Marie Lucie Macone, a street fruit vendor, expressed her belief that the United States could do more to help. The 69-year-old shared her concern about the high number of deaths in the area, with bodies frequently being found on the streets. She suggested that praying to God to guide the Americans to provide assistance would be beneficial.

She told CNN that she, like many others, is facing challenges to survive even away from direct violence. Her produce is rotting on the stands because roadblocks and fear are keeping customers at home.

However, any hopes for an American intervention in Haiti seem unlikely as US operations have mainly focused on evacuation flights for American citizens. This effort only began on Wednesday, while the arrival of a multinational security mission appears to be far off.

Meanwhile, the air above Port-au-Prince buzzes constantly with private flights for diplomats and the well-connected.

The constant coming and going of helicopters scares Marie Lucie, she said.

“Are we going to die? If you know, you should tell me,” she said.

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