Heavy gunfire in Haiti disrupted airport operations, leading to flight cancellations and shootings at a police station.
Rapid gunfire escalated across multiple areas of Port-au-Prince, causing American Airlines and Haitian airline Sunrise Airways to suspend flights.
The violence, near Toussaint Louverture International Airport, damaged aircraft and posed a significant threat to those at the domestic terminal.
Haiti has hit headlines in the last few years grappling with escalating gang violence and political instability, with warring factions controlling parts of the capital, hindering vital supply lines and displacing thousands.
According to a United Nations report, the situation reached a grim state in January 2024, with over 1,100 people killed, injured, or kidnapped, marking the most violent month in two years.
With the ongoing killings, public frustration has mounting against Prime Minister Ariel Henry for failing to quell the unrest and delaying elections.
However, leaders from the Caribbean regional bloc have agreed to send a team to assess Haiti’s electoral needs, giving hope to civilians who wants elections to be held.
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On the other hand, gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, known as “Barbecue,” has declared that the gunfights aim to overthrow Henry’s government and bring systemic change.
An attack on Bon Repos Police Station caused at least four deaths and left three others injured. Separate incidents unfold across the capital, intensifying the security crisis.
Kenya Police Deployment Plans Heightens
Despite the violence and shootings happening in Haiti, Kenyan President William Ruto, during a meeting with Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, emphasized on Kenya’s shared heritage and commitment to support Haiti.
“Kenya associates itself with the people of Haiti because of our common heritage. We are offering the experience and expertise of our police officers in the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti as mandated by the United Nations Security Council and as guided by our courts,” said President Ruto.
The mission is crucial and aims to stabilize the situation and pave way for eventual elections.
Simultaneously, Benin has offered 2,000 more troops, emphasizing their commitment to restoring peace without leading the mission.
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However, the High Court in Nairobi declared police deployment to Haiti unconstitutional, erecting a roadblock for President Ruto
The United States pledged $200 million to the multinational security support mission, intending to assist the Haitian national police with planning, intelligence, airlift capacity, communications, and medical support.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the importance of containing the fallout in Haiti.
