Haiti: Security Forces Respond to Gang Attacks on Police Stations
Haiti’s National Palace guards are taking action to restore security in the capital city of Port-au-Prince following a series of attacks by gangs on multiple police stations. In an effort to establish control, the guards, accompanied by an armored truck, are working to create a security perimeter around one of the downtown stations that was targeted in the violence. The attacks, which took place late Friday, have left the country in a state of emergency, with diminishing supplies of basic goods.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who is also acting president, has been unable to return to the capital since the violence erupted on February 29th. As armed gangs seek his removal, the United States has called on him to expedite a political transition. In response to the dire situation, Caribbean leaders have called for an emergency meeting in Jamaica. They invited the United States, France, Canada, the United Nations, and Brazil to discuss the crisis.
The Caribbean Community (Caricom) regional trade bloc has been attempting to broker a solution to the ongoing political unrest in Haiti. Their efforts to form an umbrella transitional unity government have been unsuccessful so far. The situation on the ground remains dire, and consensus among the various political actors has not yet been reached. Time is of the essence, and urgent action is needed.
The international community has also been involved in attempting to restore order in Haiti. The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto to reaffirm their commitment to a multinational security mission. Although Kenya had previously announced its intention to lead this mission, legal complications have delayed its deployment.
In addition to the political turmoil, Haiti faces a significant security threat from gangs. A peacekeeping force is urgently needed to address the escalating violence and restore order. Consensus among the stakeholders is necessary to find a way forward and ensure the safety and stability of both Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola.
Analyzing the current situation, it is
