Violent Attacks Escalate Across Key Government Sites
Heavily armed gangs made a brazen attempt to seize control of Haiti’s main international airport, exchanging gunfire with police and soldiers. The assault at Toussaint Louverture International Airport on Monday was part of a wave of violence that included a mass escape from the country’s two largest prisons.
Airport Assault and Police Academy Attack
The airport was closed during the attack, with an armored truck seen on the tarmac firing at gangs attempting to breach airport grounds. In a separate incident, an armed gang also targeted the police academy, where more than 800 cadets are in training.
Prime Minister’s Absence and International Response
Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who took office after President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination in 2021, has been notably absent amid the recent surge in violence. The United Nations expressed deep concern over the escalating security situation in Port-au-Prince.
State of Emergency Declared
A state of emergency and curfew were declared as authorities scrambled to track down thousands of escaped inmates, many of whom are accused of serious crimes. Gangs, which already control a significant portion of the capital, are intensifying attacks on critical infrastructure.