Haiti: Prime Minister Claude Joseph issues order July 8 for Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) to reopen /update 3

Event

Haiti's interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph issued an order July 8 instructing Port-au-Prince's Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) to reopen and normal business activity to resume in the country following the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Local authorities did not immediately specify when PAP or other airports would resume typical flight operations; however, the US Embassy in Haiti has indicated that airports may reopen from as early as July 9 for commercial flights. Joseph's announcement comes following the arrest of at least six suspects connected to the assassination of Moise, as well as the killing of another four suspects. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the assassination.

PAP and the country's borders had been ordered to close a few hours after Moise was assassinated July 7. Flights previously scheduled to land in the capital had been either canceled or redirected; however, diplomatic and humanitarian flights were allowed to continue. The Dominican Republic has kept its land, air, and maritime borders with Haiti closed as of July 8.

Despite the plans to reopen PAP, Joseph has indicated that Haiti will remain under a state of siege until at least July 22. The country has three levels of emergency, ranging, in order of increasing severity, from "state of emergency," to "state of siege," to "state of war." The current state of siege allows a number of constitutional guarantees to be suspended. As of July 8, most streets in Port-au-Prince remain empty amid the prevailing heightened security presence, and residents are generally staying in their homes.

The US Embassy in Port-au-Prince is slated to remain closed until at least July 9. The embassy also issued a security alert July 7 restricting direct-hire US citizen staff to the embassy compounds in Tabarre. The French government has issued a warning recommending its nationals stay at home.

A heightened security presence will almost certainly persist in and around Port-au-Prince over the coming days. Violent protests and clashes between demonstrators and security forces are possible in the capital and, potentially, nationwide. The threat of violence is elevated at all public gatherings. Road travel and business disruptions are also likely near all protests.

Context

President Jovenel Moise was assassinated at his private residence in Pelerin 5, near Port-au-Prince, in the early hours of July 7. Moise's wife was also shot during the attack and subsequently taken to the US for medical treatment.

Advice

Monitor local developments and liaise closely with trusted contacts. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Avoid all protests, large public gatherings, and concentrations of security personnel. Consider avoiding all nonessential travel. Reconfirm the status of road routes, flights, and the border crossing with the Dominican Republic before travel.