Haiti: Operators close main seaport of Port-au-Prince indefinitely as of March 7 due to violence, insecurity amid ongoing state of emergency /update 4

Caribbean Port Services has indefinitely ceased operations at the main seaport of Port-au-Prince as of March 7 due to violence and insecurity. Armed intruders breached the warehouse area of the terminal March 7. The facility is the country's main shipping container terminal, handling the majority of all maritime freight that reaches the capital. Looting has been occurring at the site. The closure will almost certainly exacerbate existing goods shortages.

Officials in Haiti have extended the state of emergency (SoE) and curfew in Ouest Department as of March 7. The curfew, which runs between the hours of 18:00-05:00 nightly, will remain in force until March 10; the measure can be renewed for periods of 72 hours at a time. The SoE will stay in effect through at least April 3. Demonstrations will not be allowed for the duration of the SoE.

Severe gang violence and unrest will likely continue in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas through at least mid-March, overwhelming security forces and causing major disruptions and instability. The Haitian National Police (Police Nationale d’Haiti, PNH) have been under growing pressure, especially after gangs attacked the National Penitentiary in the capital and a prison facility in Croix-des-Bouquets, freeing around 4,000 inmates on March 2. The G9 gang has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on critical infrastructure, and its leader is demanding the resignation of de facto Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Gangs are persisting in their attempts to take over Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) to impede the return of Henry, who was in Kenya when the violence escalated. While PNH officers and soldiers have been able to repel attacks thus far, the gangs could still succeed in their attempts if clashes continue in the coming days. The return of the prime minister to Haiti also remains uncertain at this time. Due to the ongoing violence, the US and Canadian governments have urged their citizens to leave Haiti as soon as possible; however, options to do so remain extremely limited.

Gang attacks have targeted police facilities, including the police academy, as well as the central bank, the national soccer stadium, and several government buildings. Such acts will likely continue, especially as PNH officers are largely outnumbered by gangs and seem to focus on protecting a few critical hotspots, such as the airport.

Gang violence will almost certainly continue causing disruptions to ground transport, business operations, diplomatic services, and flight operations at PAP. Multiple airlines have suspended flights to and from PAP due to the unrest.