Haitian PM Henry lands in Puerto Rico as violence ensues
March 6, 2024
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry landed in Puerto Rico after initially flying towards the Dominican Republic. His plans to return to his country still remain unclear.
Henry arrived in San Juan.Image: Ricardo Arduengo/REUTERS
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Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry landed in Puerto Rico's capital, San Juan, on Tuesday, clearing uncertainty around his whereabouts since a trip to Kenya.
Violence has spiralled in the Caribbean nation in his absence with the gangs demanding he resign.
According to AP news agency, flight tracking showed Henry's plane initially heading towards the Dominican Republic, but diverted to Puerto Rico.
A few hours before his arrival, the Dominican Republic announced suspension of all air traffic with Haiti.
He was in Kenya last week to lobby for UN-backed police deployment in his country.
"Our goal is to break the system. We are fighting against Ariel with the last drop of our blood," gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, a former police officer who vowed to oust Henry said.
On Tuesday, a police academy in the capital where more than 800 cadets are training came under attack by an armed gang.
On Monday gangs and the police exchanged gunfire at the main international airport in capital Port-au-Prince.
Last week, inmates from two major prisons in Haiti escaped in a prison break, resulting in the country to announce a state of emergency. The decree was signed by finance minister Michel Patrick Boisvert, who is the acting president.
The UN's immigration office said during the weekend that at least 15,000 people had been displaced due to the violence.
Henry has positioned himself as a leader to restore peace, and has the backing of the US government. But his popularity has been dwindling recently as Haitians struggle with chaos.
Haiti's capital descends into chaos as gangs take control
In an unprecedented surge of violence, gangs in Haiti are attacking and seizing control of most of the capital and its infrastructure.
Image: Dieu Nalio Chery/AP/picture alliance
Prison break: Thousands of inmates released
After another eruption of violence in Haiti, authorities declare a state of emergency. Over the weekend, armed gang members stormed the two largest prisons, reportedly liberating about 4,000 inmates. Gangs now control 80% of the capital, according to the United Nations, and they are trying to seize control of the airport.
Image: Ralph Tedy Erol/REUTERS
Few inmates decided to stay in prison
As prisons' doors remain unguarded, only a few dozen inmates chose to remain behind bars, according to Reuters news agency. Among them are 18 former Colombian soldiers accused of involvement in the July 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. Videos circulating on social media show them pleading for help, citing indiscriminate killings perpetrated by gangs within the cells.
Image: Odelyn Joseph/AP/picture alliance
Years of gang violence have devastated Haiti
In Port-au-Prince, the capital, armed gangs have long been exchanging fire with both law enforcement and each other. Since 2020, Haiti has endured a steady onslaught of lawlessness and turf war. Yet, the escalating violence is now pushing Haiti towards a breaking point.
Image: Ralph Tedy Erol/REUTERS
Hundreds of thousands displaced
The United Nations earlier this year estimated that around 300,000 individuals had been displaced, fleeing indiscriminate killings, routine sexual violence, kidnappings, and looting.
In recent days, scores of Port-au-Prince residents have been forced to evacuate their homes anew as armed groups intensify their assaults.
Image: Odelyn Joseph/AP/picture alliance
Haiti's police no match for the gangs
The country's National Police are outnumbered and outgunned by the more powerful and better-equipped gangs. According to the UN, the Haitian police force has roughly 9,000 officers to provide security for more than 11 million people.
Image: Odelyn Joseph/AP/picture alliance
Attacking infrastructure and Central Bank
The armed groups have struck at police stations. They've also unprecedentedly expanded their targets to include infrastructure and key buildings, such as the Central Bank. A key gang boss, Jimmy Cherizier, a former police officer dubbed 'Barbecue,' who leads an alliance of nine factions, said these actions were "a direct challenge" to Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
Image: Odelyn Joseph/AP/picture alliance
The unpopular Ariel Henry
Besides the gangs, Haitians have grown weary of the prime minister's mismanagement and failure to hold elections that could give the nation a much-needed fresh start.
Last year, the UN endorsed a plan to deploy an international force, funded by voluntary contributions from member states, to help Haitian police in restoring security. Yet, the deployment date and key details are unclear.
