Pedestrians stroll previous a courtroom constructing that was set on hearth by gangs moments earlier than within the Delmas 28 neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, March 6, 2024. (AP Picture/Odelyn Joseph)
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s authorities stated Thursday that it was extending a state of emergency and nighttime curfew to try to curb violent gang assaults which have paralyzed the capital of Port-au-Prince amid a fierce political battle for energy.
An preliminary three-day curfew was introduced over the weekend, however gangs have continued to assault police stations and different state establishments at night time as Haiti’s Nationwide Police struggles to comprise the violence with restricted employees and assets.
The assaults started per week in the past shortly after embattled Prime Minister Ariel Henry agreed to carry common elections in mid-2025 whereas attending a gathering of Caribbean leaders. Henry is at the moment in Puerto Rico, the place he was compelled to land on Tuesday after the armed teams laid siege to the worldwide airport, stopping him from returning.
Scores of individuals have died within the latest assaults, together with a number of law enforcement officials. The violence additionally has left greater than 15,000 individuals homeless
A U.S. Protection official says a Marine Corps Fleet Anti-terrorism Safety Crew, or FAST crew is being deployed to Haiti to guard the U.S. Embassy. The official spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t licensed to debate the deployment.
