In a brazen challenge to the Haitian authorities, heavily armed gangs attempted to take control of the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, coinciding with a massive breakout from the country’s two main prisons, marking a severe escalation in the crisis engulfing the nation.
The closure of Haiti’s main international airport due to the attack unfolded on a day when no planes were operating, and no passengers were present. The armored truck could be seen firing at the gangs, a desperate effort to halt their advance as workers were seen fleeing to safety from the intense exchange of gunfire.
This audacious attempt to capture the airport came just hours after the Haitian government declared a 72-hour state of emergency and imposed a night-time curfew. The circumstances were a response to the overrunning of the largest prisons in the country by armed gangs, resulting in thousands of inmates, many of whom were pre-trial detainees with serious accusations against them, gaining their freedom.
A spokesman for the UN Secretary-General expressed “deep concern” about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Port-au-Prince, where the audacity of gang attacks has grown to include previously inconceivable targets such as the Central Bank. These coordinated attacks reflect the gangs’ growing ambition and coordination, with an estimated 80% of the capital under their control.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry, amidst this turmoil, traveled to Kenya last week, seeking support for a United Nations-backed security force, a move underscored by the UN’s call for urgent action and financial backing to avert the country slipping further into chaos. Yet, with Haiti’s National Police, a force of roughly 9,000 officers, overwhelmed and outgunned, the efficacy of these efforts remains in question.
The deadly weekend left at least nine people dead, including four police officers. The broad daylight attack on the National Penitentiary was especially shocking, where all but 98 of the 3,798 inmates escaped. Another prison, Croix-des-Bouquets, saw 1,033 inmates escape, amplifying concerns for the safety of judges, prosecutors, and other legal professionals.
The violence’s toll was evident; bodies with gunshot wounds outside the prison and bloodied corpses in neighborhoods signaled the extent of the lawlessness. In response to the escalated risk, the U.S. Embassy suspended all official travel to Haiti, and the Biden administration has monitored the deteriorating security situation with “grave concern,” while opting not to commit troops, only providing financial and logistical support.
Jimmy Cherizier, a former elite police officer known as Barbecue who now runs a gang federation, has claimed responsibility for the attacks. He said the goal was to capture Haiti’s police chief and government ministers and prevent Henry’s return from Kenya.
Relevant articles:
– Gangs in Haiti try to seize control of main airport as thousands escape prisons: “Massacring people indiscriminately”
– Photos: Haitian gangs try to seize airport days after prison break, Al Jazeera English, Tue, 05 Mar 2024 06:58:18 GMT
– Gangs in Haiti try to seize control of main airport in newest attack on key government sites, The Associated Press, Tue, 05 Mar 2024 04:27:00 GMT
– Haiti gangs demand PM resignation after latest airport attack, Euronews, Tue, 05 Mar 2024 09:32:15 GMT