New Delhi: The government announced a state of emergency and enforced a curfew late Sunday to combat the surge in Haiti violence orchestrated by gangs over the weekend, resulting in the escape of thousands of prisoners from the nation’s largest penitentiaries.
The emergency declaration, spanning 72 hours, was promptly implemented as authorities vowed to locate and detain the individuals responsible for the assaults, including murderers, kidnappers, and other violent offenders.
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Finance Minister Patrick Boivert, acting as the interim prime minister, issued a directive urging law enforcement to utilize all lawful means available to enforce the curfew and apprehend perpetrators.
The decision followed a weekend marked by intensified violence, with at least nine fatalities, including four police officers, in coordinated attacks on governmental facilities in Port-au-Prince. Among the targeted sites were police stations, the international airport, and even the national soccer stadium.
The climactic event of the weekend’s unrest occurred with the siege on the National Penitentiary on Saturday night, catching many Haitians off guard despite the prevalent threat of violence. Nearly all of the approximately 4,000 inmates seized the opportunity to escape, leaving the typically overcrowded facility deserted and desolate. The aftermath revealed a scene of abandonment, with discarded clothing, plastic sandals, and furniture strewn across the premises, while three individuals with gunshot wounds were found near the prison entrance.
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The focal point of the recent turmoil centered on the National Penitentiary, where several prominent gang leaders were held captive. In the midst of gunfire exchanges, law enforcement authorities made appeals for additional support to quell the escalating violence.
These clashes ensued amidst escalating protests, which turned increasingly deadly in recent days as Prime Minister Henry pursued discussions in Kenya regarding a proposed U.N.-backed security initiative for Haiti, led by the East African nation.
Prime Minister Henry, who assumed office following the assassination of President Moise, has faced challenges in organizing parliamentary and presidential elections, which have been deferred for nearly a decade.
With the United Nations estimating Haiti’s National Police force at around 9,000 officers tasked with safeguarding a population exceeding 11 million, authorities continue to grapple with the overwhelming influence and firepower of gangs, who reportedly control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince.
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