Haiti declares emergency as gang violence worsens
Haiti has declared a state of emergency from December 22, 2024, to January 21, 2025, to deal with growing gang violence and a worsening security crisis.
The government says the measure will help the National Police combat armed gangs, address food and farming issues, and improve public safety.
Violence has escalated in the country, with gangs now controlling 85% of Port-au-Prince. More than 5,000 people have been killed this year in gang-related attacks alone.
A recent incident at Toussaint Louverture International Airport involved gunfire that injured a U.S. flight attendant. Although the airport has reopened, the U.S. has extended its flight ban to Haiti until March 2025.
JetBlue has also suspended flights to Haiti until April 30, 2025, after several aircraft, including those from Spirit and American Airlines, were hit by bullets in November.
Gang violence has also led to other tragedies, such as the burning of Bernard Mevs Hospital and the killing of over 100 people, including elderly Vodou leaders, in Cité-Soleil.
The government has since created a National Security Council to help stabilise the country.
“We are taking all necessary steps to restore order and ensure the safety of our people,” Haitian officials were quoted in a statement.
