Haiti’s government has declared a state of emergency and night time curfew following violence on the streets as armed gang members stormed the country’s biggest prisons, with thousands of inmates escaping.
The emergency comes into immediate effect as the government said that it would apprehend the criminals who are believed to have escaped.
On March 3, almost 4,000 inmates fled during the jailbreak, leaving the normally overcrowded facility empty. A second Port-au-Prince prison containing about 1,400 inmates was also overrun.
“The police were ordered to use all legal means at their disposal to enforce the curfew and apprehend all offenders,” interim prime minister Patrick Boivert said in a statement.
The violence started on Thursday as gangs stepped up coordinated attacks in Port-au-Prince, while prime minister Ariel Henry is abroad trying to salvage support for a UN-backed security force to stabilise the country.
Jimmy Chérizier, a police turned ganglord has claimed responsibility for the surge in attacks and said that his goal was to capture Haiti’s police chief and government ministers and prevent the return of the prime minister.
The group has targeted police stations, the country’s international airport, even the national soccer stadium, where one employee was held hostage for hours.
The violence has appeared widespread with several neighbourhoods reporting gunfire. In the space of less than two weeks, several state institutions have been attacked by the gangs.
The violence has appeared widespread with several neighbourhoods reporting gunfire. In the space of less than two weeks, several state institutions have been attacked by the gangs.
Henry took over as prime minister following the assassination of Jovenel Moise’s and has repeatedly postponed plans to hold parliamentary and presidential elections, which have not taken place in almost a decade.
According to the United Nations, Haiti’s National Police has roughly 9,000 officers to provide security for more than 11 million people. They are routinely overwhelmed and outgunned by gangs, which are estimated to control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince.
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