Gangs have attacked Haiti‘s national palace in Port-au-Prince

Friday night saw armed individuals attacking two police stations near Haiti’s National Palace in Port-au-Prince, as the city’s gang violence worsened.

Image Credit-ABCNewsOn Friday evening, Haitian gangs launched a well-coordinated and swift large-scale assault on multiple government buildings in or near downtown Port-au-Prince. According to a law enforcement source who was involved in the fighting, various groups simultaneously targeted government buildings, including the Presidential Palace, the Interior Ministry, and a police headquarters for Haiti’s western district, which includes Port-au-Prince.

Witnesses reported intense gunfire and large explosions, resulting in the evacuation of hundreds of people from the area. The confrontation between the gangs and the police was highly intense. The source stated that at the time of this report, the attack was subsiding, and gang members were beginning to retreat. It remains uncertain whether the fighting has ceased for the night or if the gangs are regrouping.

Initial reports indicate that approximately a dozen gang members were killed, although the source cautioned that the number has not been fully confirmed. No police casualties have been reported thus far. The Presidential Palace, which has been unoccupied since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, serves as a symbolic representation of Haitian federal governance and is under 24/7 guard. If the palace were to fall under gang control, it would signify a significant setback in Haiti’s fight against organized crime and ongoing rebellion.

Haiti has been in a state of open rebellion since last week, with the most powerful gangs uniting and launching attacks on government institutions. Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was out of the country when the attacks began, has been unable to return. As a result, the government has declared a state of emergency.

The U.S. State Department is advising American citizens to leave Haiti due to the gang violence. The U.S. Embassy in Haiti has issued a warning, asking citizens to stay informed about security conditions from transportation providers and to plan their departure when it is safe to do so.

The Haitian government has implemented a state of emergency in the West Region and the capital, Port-au-Prince, which will remain in effect until April 3. A curfew will also be in place until March 10.

The ongoing chaos in Haiti has led to tens of thousands of people being displaced from their homes in recent days. This adds to the already significant number of over 300,000 individuals who have been displaced by gang violence. Doctors Without Borders has expressed concern about the displacement of civilians and the lack of basic necessities. In an interview with CNN on Friday, Sophie Mealier stated, “There are no toilets, no showers, and no water available… they cannot stay for long.”

According to an official from the country’s Civil Protection, gangs have been targeting hospitals. Currently, only one public hospital in Port-au-Prince’s metropolitan area is operational.

Pierre Espérance, Executive Director of the Haitian Human Rights Defense Network, described Haiti’s situation as “chaotic” with no resolution in sight, stating that the country has “completely collapsed.”

Canada reported a 90-minute protest outside its embassy on Thursday, during which a burning tire was thrown over the outer gate. Meanwhile, the US is considering “contingency options” at its embassy.

According to the UN, CARICOM (the Caribbean Community and Common Market), a regional bloc of 25 countries focused on economic integration, security, and social development, will hold a meeting in the Jamaican capital of Kingston on Monday to discuss Haiti. It remains uncertain whether Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry will attend the meeting as a member state.