Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry's Arrival in Puerto Rico During Haitian Turmoil Confirmed by Local Official
The arrival of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry in Puerto Rico has been confirmed by a local official, marking an important development amidst the turmoil in Haiti's capital. Speculations about his whereabouts were put to rest as a plane carrying him landed in Puerto Rico on Tuesday, as reported by the governor's spokesperson to CNN. The crisis in Port-au-Prince escalated over the weekend, adding significance to the Prime Minister's presence in Puerto Rico.
A plane with Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry on board landed in Puerto Rico on Tuesday, according to the governor's spokesperson. There had been uncertainty about his location as the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, faced a crisis over the weekend.
Sheila Angleró Mojica informed CNN that she did not have more information about the situation. She mentioned that federal agents from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are handling the matter, but did not provide further details.
Port-au-Prince has been facing a series of coordinated gang attacks targeting law enforcement and state institutions since last week. These armed groups have set fire to police stations and freed numerous inmates from two prisons, with one gang leader claiming it is a move to overthrow Henry’s government.
The violence escalated while Henry was away in Kenya, where he signed an agreement supporting a Kenyan-led mission of 1,000 police officers to help restore security in Haiti. The prime minister was last seen in public in Kenya on Friday and has now arrived in Puerto Rico, according to Mojica.
Haiti’s government announced a state of emergency on Sunday due to the escalating violence in Port-au-Prince. The United Nations reported that 15,000 people had to leave their homes in the capital, joining the 300,000 already displaced by gang violence.
People drive past a burning blockade as demonstrators hold a protest calling for the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry outside the Canadian Embassy, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti February 25 2024. REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol
People drove past a burning blockade while demonstrators protested outside the Canadian Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on February 25, 2024. The protest was calling for the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The image was captured by Ralph Tedy Erol from Reuters.
Related article
Gangs rule Haiti’s capital. Some say they’re ready to overthrow the government too
The government has mentioned the reason for the suspension of flights as the "deterioration of security," particularly due to the rise in violent criminal activities carried out by armed gangs. These acts include kidnappings, killings, violence against women and children, and looting. Finance Minister Patrick Boivert shared this information in a statement.
As a result of the violence, the Dominican Republic has decided to halt all cargo and passenger flights to and from Haiti. Dominican President Luis Abinader stated that there is now a heightened level of security along the border with Haiti. He also warned that any escaped Haitian prisoner attempting to enter the Dominican Republic will be met with a severe response.
Aid groups are working hard to assist the residents of the capital city. Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in French, have announced plans to increase their medical efforts in Port-Au-Prince. This is in response to the growing number of people who have been injured since the country descended into chaos.
According to MSF, the violence in the area has escalated significantly in recent days, leading to a large number of casualties. In a statement released on Tuesday, the organization highlighted the urgent need for medical care for those affected by the crisis.
The aid group is facing challenges in delivering care to Haitians due to difficulties in accessing the country's main port and the closure of the international airport. Haiti MSF head Mumuza Muhindo Musubah expressed concerns about running out of essential medicines and medical supplies to meet the current overwhelming needs.
According to the UN, half of Haiti's population, which is 5.5 million people, require humanitarian assistance.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
CNN’s Michael Rios and Caitlin Hu contributed to this report
