Haiti’s main airport in Port-au-Prince was forced to close temporarily on Monday due to escalating gang violence, according to the U.S. embassy. This closure came on the same day that a new interim prime minister was expected to take office in a country plagued by a surge in violence.
Reports of firefights between gangs and police in various parts of the capital city sent civilians running for cover, while heavily armed officers sought refuge behind walls. In wealthier neighborhoods, gangs set fire to homes, causing further chaos and fear among residents.
The United States Embassy in Haiti issued a travel warning, citing the airport shutdown as a response to “gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince, which may involve armed violence and disruptions to transportation infrastructure.” Additionally, there were reports of gangs firing at a Spirit airline flight, with images showing bullet holes in the plane, although this incident has not been officially confirmed.
The unrest in Haiti follows the dismissal of interim prime minister Garry Conille by a council tasked with restoring democratic order in the country. Conille’s replacement, businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, was appointed amid internal conflicts within the council, including allegations of corruption against three of its members.
The situation in Haiti remains volatile, with ongoing violence and political instability posing significant challenges to the nation’s security and stability. The closure of the main airport underscores the severity of the crisis, as authorities work to address the escalating gang violence and restore order in the country.
As the situation continues to unfold, the international community closely monitors developments in Haiti, with concerns about the impact of the unrest on the country’s population and prospects for peace and stability. Efforts to address the root causes of the violence and promote dialogue among conflicting parties are crucial to resolving the crisis and preventing further escalation of tensions in Haiti.
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