Haiti violence: US announces charter flight as clashes continue
The US State Department has announced the organization of a charter flight to evacuate American citizens stranded in Haiti, amid escalating gang violence and widespread hunger in the impoverished nation.
Authorities in the capital city of Port-au-Prince are currently engaged in efforts to regain control of areas under the control of notorious gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, also known as “Barbecue”.
Chérizier holds sway in the Delmas neighborhood, where police operations are underway to apprehend him.
According to police spokesman Lionel Lazarre, several individuals described as “bandits” were killed during a recent operation, which saw police units enter the neighborhood on Friday evening.
Additionally, law enforcement officials have reported exchanging gunfire with members of Barbecue’s gang, dismantling roadblocks, and confiscating firearms.
Sources in Haiti informed the AFP news agency of another operation aimed at restoring order to the capital’s main port, which has been closed since March 7th due to escalating violence.
The situation remains perilous for ordinary Haitians, prompting numerous embassies and consulates to initiate airlifts for their citizens seeking to leave the country.
Stranded Americans were informed by the State Department on Saturday of the availability of a charter flight departing from Cap-Haitien, a coastal city situated approximately 120 miles (193 kilometers) from Port-au-Prince.
But the State Department said only US citizens with valid visas would be allowed to travel and the flight would only go ahead if the situation at Cap-Haitien remained stable.
Last week, Washington airlifted its non-essential embassy staff from Port-au-Prince.
Gang leader Barbecue has been one of the most outspoken enemies of Ariel Henry, demanding his resignation ever since the latter was sworn in as prime minister.
Last Tuesday, Mr Henry resigned as prime minister after weeks of mounting pressure and escalating violence.
He had not been allowed back into Haiti after leaving in late January for visits to Guyana and Kenya, where he had signed a deal on the deployment of an international security force to help quell the violence.
