Caribbean nations have launched emergency evacuation operations as Haiti plunges deeper into a devastating security crisis, with Puerto Rico confirming it has airlifted dozens of citizens to safety from the gang-ravaged nation.
The mass exodus comes amid escalating violence that has brought the Caribbean country to its knees, with armed groups tightening their grip on the capital and critical infrastructure.
Emergency Airlift Operations Underway
Puerto Rico's government has executed multiple evacuation flights from Haiti, transporting citizens through the US territory's capital, San Juan. The emergency measures highlight the rapidly deteriorating security situation that has left thousands of foreign nationals stranded and desperate to escape.
"We're witnessing a complete collapse of law and order," reported one diplomatic source, who described gangs now controlling approximately 80% of Port-au-Prince and systematically targeting state institutions.
Regional Security Crisis Escalates
The violence has reached unprecedented levels, with armed groups:
- Storming police stations and government buildings
- Launching coordinated attacks on the main international airport
- Freezing commercial activities through widespread terror
- Creating a humanitarian catastrophe with limited access to food and medical supplies
Regional neighbours have been placed on high alert, with the Dominican Republic reinforcing its border amid concerns the crisis could spill across the island of Hispaniola.
International Response Stalls
Efforts to establish a transitional government have stalled dramatically, leaving a power vacuum that gangs have eagerly filled. Prime Minister Ariel Henry remains stranded outside the country, unable to return as armed groups threaten widespread bloodshed should he attempt to come back.
"This isn't just political instability - it's the complete unravelling of a nation," a Caribbean diplomatic official warned, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The United Nations has described the situation as "cataclysmic," with medical services collapsing and essential supplies running critically low amid widespread looting and violence.
