Violent Attack on Police Stations in Proximity to Haiti's National Palace amidst Escalating Gang Violence
Friday night witnessed armed individuals launching attacks on two police stations near Haiti's National Palace, escalating the gang violence in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.
Two police stations near Haiti’s National Palace were targeted by armed individuals on Friday night, adding to the ongoing gang violence in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.
A security source in Port-au-Prince informed CNN that efforts are underway to bring the situation under control as quickly as possible. Despite the challenges faced, authorities are working diligently to address the issue.
The capital of Haiti is currently facing a series of organized gang attacks targeting law enforcement and government buildings. Gang leader Jimmy Cherizier claims that these attacks are aimed at overthrowing Prime Minister Ariel Henry's government.
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Armed groups in the country have set fire to police stations and freed many prisoners from two jails. Cherizier has stated that if the prime minister does not resign, there could be a civil war leading to genocide.
Henry has been facing challenges trying to come back to his country after traveling to Kenya last week to finalize an agreement for a multinational mission led by Kenya to bring back security.
According to two sources familiar with Henry's whereabouts in the Caribbean island, he is currently in Puerto Rico. This comes after the Dominican Republic denied permission for his flight to land.
Haitian police union Synapoha urged all police officers on Friday to strengthen security at their police stations. The union emphasized the importance of unity to protect the symbol of the police force and called for adequate support from leadership for all units.
The call for increased security measures comes in the wake of a recent incident where intruders broke into the Caribbean Port Services (CPS) terminal in Port-au-Prince. The CPS terminal is a key player in Haiti's food import supply chain.
The police have successfully thwarted coordinated gang attacks on important infrastructures, such as the airport, as reported by the UN on Friday.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, expressed continued worry over the worsening security conditions due to ongoing gang violence and occasional clashes between heavily armed gangs and police in certain areas of Port-au-Prince.
A woman cries as she walks near her husband's shop that armed gang members set fire to in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 7, 2024. Haiti's troubled capital is under a state of emergency as authorities struggle to rein in violent gangs demanding the prime minister resign.
A woman is seen crying while walking near her husband's shop that was set on fire by armed gang members in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on March 7, 2024. The capital city of Haiti is facing a state of emergency as authorities work to control violent gangs who are demanding the resignation of the prime minister.
The Haitian government has announced a state of emergency for the West Region and the capital, Port-au-Prince, until April 3. Additionally, a curfew will be enforced until March 10.
The recent chaos in Haiti has led to tens of thousands of people being forced to leave their homes, joining the over 300,000 already displaced due to gang violence.
The head of Doctors without Borders in Haiti expressed worry over the civilian displacement, highlighting the shortage of essential items.
Sophie Mealier informed CNN on Friday that there are no toilets, showers, or water available for the people, so they cannot stay for long.
According to an official from the country's Civil Protection, hospitals have been attacked by gangs, leaving only one public hospital operational in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince.
A man passes a barricade consumed by fire amid Haiti's state of emergency, in Port-au-Prince on March 6, 2024.
A man passes a barricade consumed by fire amid Haiti's state of emergency, in Port-au-Prince on March 6, 2024.
Ralph Tedy Erol/Reuters/File
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Haiti has decided to extend the state of emergency following a recent incident where intruders broke into a key port terminal. According to Pierre Espérance, Executive Director of the Haitian Human Rights Defense Network, the situation in Haiti is described as "chaotic" with no clear solution in sight. He mentioned that the country has experienced a complete collapse.
Canada reported a protest lasting 90 minutes outside its embassy on Thursday. During the protest, a burning tire was thrown over the outside gate. Meanwhile, the US stated that it is exploring "contingency options" at its embassy.
CARICOM, a regional bloc consisting of 25 countries that focuses on economic integration, security, and social development, is scheduled to convene a meeting on Haiti in the Jamaican capital of Kingston on Monday, as confirmed by the UN.
Haiti is a member state, but it is unclear if Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry will be at the meeting.
CNN has reached out to the Haitian prime minister’s office for comment.
Jim Rogers, Rafy Rivera, Michael Conte and Abel Alvarado contributed to the reporting.
Editor's P/S:
The ongoing gang violence in
