Gangs advocating for the removal of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry have been engaging in destructive acts by setting fire to police stations in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.
The most recent incident occurred at the police station in the bustling Salomon market, as reported by local media.
These gangs have intensified their attacks in the city, particularly during Mr. Henry’s absence when he attended a regional summit last week.
As a result, the ongoing unrest has halted air traffic, preventing the prime minister from returning.
Despite his attempt to fly back to Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, Mr. Henry inadvertently ended up in Puerto Rico, a US territory.
The closure of the Haitian capital’s international airport due to soldiers repelling gunmen’s attempts to seize it prevented his landing.
Additionally, the neighboring Dominican Republic’s civil aviation authorities denied entry to the prime minister’s plane, citing the lack of a proper flight plan.
Since his visit to Kenya, where he aimed to salvage a deal for the African country to lead a multinational force in restoring order in Haiti, Mr. Henry has not made any public statements.
Taking advantage of his absence, the gangs in the capital have coordinated a series of attacks, targeting various locations, including the airport, which they seek to control to prevent the prime minister’s return.
They have also targeted two prisons, resulting in the release of numerous inmates. Furthermore, they have set fire to the peace court in Croix-des-Bouquets and have looted or destroyed over 20 other buildings, as documented by The National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH).
Tragically, at least six police officers have lost their lives, and the National Police Academy has been destroyed.
The storming of the National Penitentiary has left the bodies of several prisoners strewn across the streets. This wave of violence has further exacerbated Haiti’s already dire humanitarian crisis.
During a press conference in Delm, former police officer Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, the leader of the ‘G9’ gang alliance, was seen receiving a weapon from a fellow gang member.
These gangs can come to Antigua and help us remove Gaston and his cronies from office.