US Evacuates Embassy Staff from Haiti Amid Escalating Gang Violence
The United States has evacuated non-essential embassy staff from Haiti due to escalating gang violence, heightening security at their mission in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Gang attacks on the airport, police stations, and prisons, along with demands for the removal of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, prompted the evacuation. The US Embassy clarified that it remains open despite the departure of additional personnel.
A state of emergency, initially declared for three days, has been extended by a month. Gang violence near US Embassy compounds and the airport led to the decision to arrange for additional personnel departures, according to the embassy’s social media post. The evacuation operation, reportedly conducted by helicopter, aimed to address the deteriorating situation in Haiti.
Haiti’s main port announced the suspension of operations due to sabotage and vandalism, contributing to the worsening conditions. Gangs intensified attacks during Prime Minister Henry’s absence at a regional summit, culminating in attempts to seize the international airport in Port-au-Prince, disrupting his return. Henry’s efforts to fly back were thwarted as soldiers repelled gunmen at the airport.
Henry visited Kenya, where he met with President William Ruto, seeking a deal for a multinational force to restore order in Haiti. The signed agreement would allow 2,000 Kenyan police officers to be deployed to Haiti. However, a Kenyan opposition politician plans to challenge the deal in court.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the Haiti crisis with President Ruto, emphasizing their commitment to a multinational security mission to restore order. Gangs in Port-au-Prince capitalized on Henry’s absence, coordinating attacks on the airport and prisons and releasing thousands of inmates. The violence, including the destruction of the National Police Academy and the killing of police officers, worsened Haiti’s humanitarian crisis.
Gangs, led by former police officer Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier of the G9 alliance, threatened civil war and potential genocide if Henry did not step down. The unrest has displaced 362,000 Haitians, over half of whom are children, contributing to a city under siege. Aid organizations report a dire situation, with people living in fear and a deteriorating humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for stability and assistance in Haiti.
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