Government Paralyzed After Presidential Assassination... Violence Escalates
Gangs Virtually Control Capital... "International Community, Do Not Intervene"
The capital of Haiti, an island nation in the Caribbean, has become a lawless zone as gangs have taken control of most of the city.
On the 16th (local time), foreign media including the US CNN and CBS reported, "The United Nations estimates that gangs control 80% of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti."
Haiti, considered the poorest country in the Americas, has seen deteriorating security in recent years due to conflicts among gang coalitions such as G9 and G-Pep. Especially after the assassination of then-President Jovenel Mo?se at his residence in 2021, no elections have been held, and amid worsening gang violence and poverty, administrative functions have effectively collapsed.
Ariel Henry, the Prime Minister appointed just before President Mo?se's assassination, originally planned to resign on the 7th of last month but continued to hold power, citing the inability to hold elections. In response, gangs demanded Henry's resignation and incited riots. The gangs began attacking to overthrow the government starting on the 29th of last month, when Henry was away visiting Kenya.
Shortly after the riots, the Haitian government declared a state of emergency, but violent incidents have intensified, including a shootout near the presidential palace on the 8th. The Washington Post (WP) reported, "Bodies of those shot dead lie scattered in the streets, but gangs are blocking access, preventing anyone from recovering them." As the bloodshed continued, Henry ultimately announced his resignation from abroad on the 11th.
Currently, daily battles between police and gangs are taking place in Port-au-Prince, and residents are refraining from going outside, leaving the streets empty. Roads leading to the outskirts of the city and to the port have been blocked by gangs, and Port-au-Prince International Airport has been closed. Major grocery stores have run out of food, and gas stations are reported to be nearly out of fuel. Hospitals are on emergency alert due to blood shortages.
Citizens taking shelter in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, where violent incidents are occurring [Image source=Yonhap News]
In response, the United States dispatched military helicopters to evacuate some embassy staff stationed locally. The European Union (EU) delegation and the German ambassador based in Haiti also left for the Dominican Republic. However, the US State Department stated, "The embassy in Haiti will remain open with reduced staff and limited operations." The US government announced it is preparing charter flights to evacuate its citizens from Haiti.
The United Nations reported that dozens have died and about 15,000 people have lost their homes due to the current crisis. CNN reported, "Approximately 5.5 million people, nearly half of Haiti's population, are in need of humanitarian aid."
Meanwhile, Jimmy Cherizier, the leader of G9, who is known to be leading the recent violence, expressed opposition to international intervention at a press conference on the 29th of last month, stating, "The Haitian people will decide their own fate."
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