Armed gangs in Haiti have intensified their attacks on law enforcement and diplomatic corpses, recently targeting U.S. Embassy vehicles and a United Nations helicopter in Port-au-Prince. The violence marks yet another significant escalation as a coalition of gangs threatens diplomatic and humanitarian operations in the country.
Two armored vehicles belonging to the U.S. Embassy were fired upon by members of the criminal groups "Mawozo 400" and "Chen Mechan" this week. While no injuries were reported, the embassy vehicles were seemingly intentionally targeted.
As a precaution, U.S. embassy officials are preparing to evacuate up to 20 diplomatic staff members from the capital in the coming days, one source told CNN.
In a separate incident on Thursday, a U.N. helicopter operated by the World Food Programme (WFP) was struck by gunfire while flying over the gang-controlled neighborhood of Grand Ravine. The aircraft, which was clearly marked as a U.N. vehicle, was carrying 18 people when it was hit, suffering at least eight bullet holes in its fuselage. No injuries occurred, and the helicopter was able to land safely, according to the Miami Herald.
However, the attack has led to the cancellation of other scheduled flights, jeopardizing crucial humanitarian missions in a country where many roads remain too dangerous for overland transport.
The ever-escalating violence has sparked concerns about potential disruptions to the few commercial flights that still operate in the country, reminiscent of earlier months when U.S. carriers, including Spirit, JetBlue, and American Airlines, suspended operations in Port-au-Prince due to rising gang activity.
This uptick in violence is believed to be a response to recent changes in the Haitian police's anti-gang strategies, according to U.S. Ambassador Dennis Hankins. "The United States maintains its strong condemnation against ongoing gang violence aimed at destabilizing Haiti's government and jeopardizing a future of peace and security for the Haitian people," a State Department spokesperson stated.
The security situation in Haiti remains precarious, particularly in areas like Tabarre, where gangs are vying for control. Recent reports indicate that nearly 700,000 Haitians have been displaced due to ongoing violence, with over 3,600 people killed since the beginning of the year. This month, a brutal gang attack in central Haiti left at least 70 people dead, including children.
As the situation deteriorates, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has imposed travel restrictions for government personnel and has shifted to limited operations, canceling all visa and citizen service appointments. With gang leaders like Vitel'homme Innocent and Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier at the forefront of this violence, the diplomatic and humanitarian communities are left to navigate a complex and dangerous landscape.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
