2024 Haitian jailbreak: Difference between revisions

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| conflict = Battle of Port-Au-Prince (2024)<ref>https://www.pdclarion.com/news/national/gang-activity-in-haitis-port-au-prince/image_a7bf6d25-5f3b-5d92-96a9-320d8d0e7f4b.html</ref>
| conflict = Battle of Port-Au-Prince (2024)<ref>https://www.pdclarion.com/news/national/gang-activity-in-haitis-port-au-prince/image_a7bf6d25-5f3b-5d92-96a9-320d8d0e7f4b.html</ref>
| partof = the [[crime in Haiti]] and the [[Haitian crisis (2018–present)]]
| partof = the [[crime in Haiti]] and the [[Haitian crisis (2018–present)]]
| image = 2019 Haitian protests tire fire.png
| place = Mainly [[Port-au-Prince]], Haiti
| place = Mainly [[Port-au-Prince]], Haiti
| date = 28 February – present<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/haiti-violence-police-killed-kenya-gangs-84eb8a827967238805827742bbd7bf69|title=Haitian police spokesman says new gang attacks overwhelmed officers: 'The city center was at war'|date=1 March 2024|website=AP News}}</ref>
| date = 28 February – present<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/haiti-violence-police-killed-kenya-gangs-84eb8a827967238805827742bbd7bf69|title=Haitian police spokesman says new gang attacks overwhelmed officers: 'The city center was at war'|date=1 March 2024|website=AP News}}</ref>

Revision as of 18:46, 6 March 2024

Battle of Port-Au-Prince (2024)[1]
Part of the crime in Haiti and the Haitian crisis (2018–present)
Date28 February – present[2]
Location
Mainly Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Result Ongoing
Belligerents
G9 alliance and supporters Haitian security forces
Commanders and leaders
Jimmy Chérizier Ariel Henry
Casualties and losses
12 dead, 15,000 displaced[3][4][5]

In March 2024, armed gangs stormed the two largest prisons in Haiti, resulting in around 3,700 inmates escaping. The gangs demanded that prime minister Ariel Henry resign. The Haitian government declared a 72-hour state of emergency and a nighttime curfew in an attempt to curb the violence and chaos.[6]

Background

On 1 March 2024, Haitian prime minister Ariel Henry traveled to Kenya and signed an agreement designed to circumvent the Kenyan High Court's earlier ruling declaring the UN-backed operation to ensure Haitian security as unconstitutional under Kenyan law.[7]

Timeline

On 2 and 3 March, armed gangs successfully stormed the two largest prisons in Haiti, one in Croix des Bouquets, the other in Port-au-Prince, resulting in around 3,700 inmates escaping. Over 12 people have been killed in the conflict.[6] The Haitian government, under finance minister Michel Patrick Boisvert, declared a 72-hour state of emergency and a nighttime curfew in an attempt to curb the violence and chaos.[8]

Jimmy Chérizier, the leader of the "G9 Family and Allies" gang in Port-au-Prince, claimed responsibility for the increase in attacks, and demanded Henry's resignation. Chérizier also stated that the goals of the increase in attacks was to capture important government officials, including the police chief.[7] Many escaped gang leaders have joined the attacks,[9] fueling speculation that an alliance between rival gangs in the Haitian gang wars is forming to overthrow the Haitian elite.[10]

Gang leader Jimmy Chérizier released a video stating that he intended to prevent Ariel Henry from returning to Haiti with the operation. On 1 March, when asked if it was safe for him to return to Haiti, Henry shrugged.[11]

Chérizier apparently had the backing of some other gangs as part of a coalition named "Viv Ansanm" (Haitian Creole for "living together"); though that coalition was quick to dissolve, other gangs still launched attacks together with Chérizier's G9 gang.[12] Gunfire at the airport on 1 March caused damage to some of the airliners.[13]

On 2 and 3 March, armed gangs stormed the two largest prisons in Haiti, one in Croix des Bouquets, the other in Port-au-Prince,[14] resulting in more than 4,700 inmates escaping.[11] Police were reported to be undermanned and outgunned by the gangs, with only 9,000 operating in Haiti at the time of the fighting.[15] The gang leaders, including Jimmy Chérizier, demanded Henry's resignation. In particular, Chérizier stated his goal was to capture Haitian government officials, including the police chief.[16] Over 12 people have been killed in the conflict,[14] while the UN estimates that 15,000 people have fled the violence in Port-au-Prince.[16] On 3 March, the Haitian government, under finance minister Michel Patrick Boisvert, declared a 72-hour state of emergency and a nighttime curfew in an attempt to curb the violence and chaos;[17] the government noted "increasingly violent criminal acts" throughout Port-au-Prince, including vandalism, kidnapping and murder.[18] According to the United Nations, gangs now control around 80% of Port-au-Prince.[11] On 3 March, The Sylvio Cator Stadium occupied and vandalized by armed gangs, as put forward by an official statement [19] On 4 March, at around 1 p.m. local time, armed gangs attacked the heavily fortified Toussaint Louverture International Airport, exchanging gunfire with police and the Haitian Armed Forces in an attempt to take control of the facility after rumors that Henry would return to the country,[20] fueling speculation that an alliance between rival gangs is forming to overthrow the Haitian elite.[21] In particular, Johnson André, the leader of the 5 Seconds gang, appeared also to be linked to the attacks.[11] Other gang leaders, including Guy Philippe, reportedly will try to take over the presidency of Haiti.[22] Flights were grounded as the airport was shut down, and the Stade Sylvio Cator[18] and national bank[17] were also both attacked. Other public institutions, including schools and banks, have been closed.[23]

On 5 March, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated his desire for “urgent action, particularly in providing financial support for the multinational security support mission”.[24] Later that day, Henry landed at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Puerto Rico in an attempt to return to Haiti to control the violence.[23]

There was another reported jailbreak on March 5th as well, leading to the death of 3 inmates, however, Haitian police were able to stop any attempts at escape.[25][26]

Reactions

Internationally

  • Template:Country data ALBA: The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-People's Trade Treaty expressed "their concern about the serious and prolonged situation [27]
  •  Jamaica: Due to the ongoing violence in Haiti, the Jamaican military has been put on high alert and is ready to deploy security forces to Haiti.[28]
  •  Kenya: Kenya is committed to deploying 1,000 police officers to Haiti.[29]
  •  Mexico: Mexico withdrew its embassy from Port-au-Prince and advised its citizens in Haiti to confine themselves to necessities like fuel, water, and non-perishables before leaving.[30]
  •  United States: The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, issued an updated security alert for U.S. citizens after armed gangs broke thousands of prisoners out of the capitol’s national penitentiary over the weekend while the country’s prime minister was visiting Kenya.[31] U.S. officials said that American troops will not be sent to Haiti and have put pressure on current prime minister Ariel Henry to resign. However, the FBI has offered support for the current prime minister while he is in Puerto Rico.[32][33][34]
  •  Caribbean Community: Officials from CARICOM have put forward the idea to have the current prime minister to resign.[35]
  •  Cuba: The Cuban Embassy in Haiti is taking steps to ensure the safe return of Cubans residing and in transit in that country [36]
  •  Dominican Republic: In response to violence in Haiti, the Dominican Republic has partially closed it's border, and fully closed it's airspace with Haiti, causing the Prime Minister to have to divert his flight to Puerto Rico [37] [38]
  •  Venezuela: President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela rebuked plans to deploy multinational police forces to Haiti speaking at the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Summit in St. Vincent and the Grenadines [39]

References

  1. ^ https://www.pdclarion.com/news/national/gang-activity-in-haitis-port-au-prince/image_a7bf6d25-5f3b-5d92-96a9-320d8d0e7f4b.html
  2. ^ "Haitian police spokesman says new gang attacks overwhelmed officers: 'The city center was at war'". AP News. 1 March 2024.
  3. ^ https://www.macaubusiness.com/haiti-violence-displaces-15000-already-displaced-people-un/
  4. ^ Nova, Redazione Agenzia (4 March 2024). "Haiti: the government declares a state of emergency, at least 12 dead and 4 thousand prisoners escaped".
  5. ^ https://www.macaubusiness.com/haiti-violence-displaces-15000-already-displaced-people-un/
  6. ^ a b Astier, Henri; Avagnina, Gianluca (3 March 2024). "Haiti violence: Haiti gangs demand PM resign after mass jailbreak". BBC. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Kenya signs deal in attempt to rescue plan for deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  8. ^ Sanon, Evans; Luxama, Pierre-Richard (3 March 2024). "Haiti declares a curfew as it tries to restore order after weekend jailbreak, explosion of violence". AP News. The Associated Press. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  9. ^ Charles, Jacqueline (4 March 2024). "Haiti has deployed its army; troops joined police to push back gang takeover of airport". Miami Herald. McClatchy Media Network. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  10. ^ Taylor, Luke (4 March 2024). "Haiti's weekend of violence puts government future in doubt". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d Coto, Dánica (4 March 2024). "There's chaos in Haiti. Powerful gangs are attacking key targets like prisons as alliances shift". AP News. The Associated Press. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  12. ^ Press, Associated (29 February 2024). "Haiti's capital paralysed by gunfire as gang boss threatens police chief and ministers". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  13. ^ Rios, Michael; Caitlin Hu; Jim Rogers; Sahar Akbarzai; Chris Lau (1 March 2024). "Gunfire near Haiti airport disrupts flights for second day". CNN. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  14. ^ a b Astier, Henri; Avagnina, Gianluca (3 March 2024). "Haiti violence: Haiti gangs demand PM resign after mass jailbreak". BBC. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  15. ^ "Haitian police spokesman says new gang attacks overwhelmed officers: 'The city center was at war'". AP News. 1 March 2024. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  16. ^ a b Jones, Sam (4 March 2024). "Haiti declares state of emergency after thousands of dangerous inmates escape". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  17. ^ a b Sanon, Evans; Luxama, Pierre-Richard (3 March 2024). "Haiti declares a curfew as it tries to restore order after weekend jailbreak, explosion of violence". AP News. The Associated Press. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  18. ^ a b Wyss, Jim (4 March 2024). "Violent Prison Break Sparks Murder, Mayhem in Haiti". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  19. ^ https://twitter.com/MARADIOFM/status/1764335430231568817
  20. ^ Charles, Jacqueline (4 March 2024). "Haiti has deployed its army; troops joined police to push back gang takeover of airport". Miami Herald. McClatchy Media Network. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  21. ^ Taylor, Luke (4 March 2024). "Haiti's weekend of violence puts government future in doubt". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  22. ^ Berg, Matt; Toosi, Nahal; Ward, Alexander (5 March 2024). "'Catastrophic' fears in Washington as Haiti crisis worsens". Politico. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  23. ^ a b Sanon, Evens; Goodman, Joshua; Coto, Dánica (5 March 2024). "Haitian prime minister lands in Puerto Rico as he tries to return home to quell gang violence". AP News. The Associated Press. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  24. ^ "Haiti crisis: UN chief calls for 'urgent action' to end rampant insecurity | UN News". news.un.org. United Nations. 5 March 2024. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  25. ^ https://twitter.com/NouvellesA1/status/1765432823966502967
  26. ^ https://twitter.com/Radio_Metronome/status/1765418654848458882
  27. ^ https://twitter.com/teleSURtv/status/1765446262197715435
  28. ^ https://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20240306/j%E2%80%99cans-open-about-soldiers-going-haiti
  29. ^ https://www.dw.com/en/why-is-kenya-heading-the-security-mission-in-haiti/video-68439214
  30. ^ "Embajada de México en Haití cesa funciones por la inseguridad – Noticias Prensa Latina" (in Spanish). 4 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  31. ^ https://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/2024/03/06/the-u-s-urges-citizens-to-leave-haiti-as-gangs-seize-control/
  32. ^ https://listindiario.com/las-mundiales/20240306/alojamiento-seguridad-ariel-henry-puerto-rico-encarga-fbi_798706.html
  33. ^ Wilner, Michael; Charles, Jacqueline. "Biden rejects U.S. troop deployment to Haiti as crisis spirals". Miami Herald. McClatchy Media Network. Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  34. ^ https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/haiti/article286303630.html
  35. ^ https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/haiti/article286303630.html
  36. ^ https://twitter.com/CVInternacional/status/1765442325138788699
  37. ^ https://dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2024/03/03/dominican-republic-advises-airlines-to-avoid-connections-to-haiti/
  38. ^ https://dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2024/03/05/dominican-authorities-partially-restrict-border-crossings-from-haiti/
  39. ^ https://twitter.com/BTnewsroom/status/1765155848387453283
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