Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, has descended into chaos as armed gangs launched a series of brazen assaults on government institutions. The violent escalation comes amid a prolonged political vacuum in the Caribbean nation.
Targeting the Heart of Government
Reports indicate that gang members simultaneously attacked multiple strategic locations, including:
- The National Palace (presidential residence)
- The Interior Ministry headquarters
- Several police stations across the city
Witnesses described hearing sustained gunfire and explosions near these government buildings throughout the day.
A Nation in Crisis
The violence underscores Haiti's deteriorating security situation, where gangs now control approximately 80% of the capital. The country has been without elected representatives since January 2023, when the last remaining senators' terms expired.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who assumed power after the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, faces mounting pressure to resign. Henry was notably absent from the country during the attacks, having traveled to Kenya to discuss a proposed UN-backed security mission.
International Response
The United States has urged its citizens to leave Haiti immediately, while neighboring Dominican Republic has reinforced border security. Regional leaders are expected to discuss the crisis at an upcoming Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting in Jamaica.
Humanitarian organizations warn that the violence is exacerbating an already dire situation, with nearly half of Haiti's population facing acute food insecurity.
