Haiti: Severe gang violence likely to continue in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas through at least mid-March /update 2

Severe gang violence 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. On March 3, officials in Haiti declared a 72-hour state of emergency (SoE) and curfew in the Ouest Department. The curfew was in effect between the hours of 18:00-05:00 daily until the morning of March 6; the measure remains renewable for periods of 72 hours although authorities have as yet not officially extended it. While the government may still extend or reimpose the curfew and SoE, the measures appear to have resulted in no improvement in the security situation over recent days.

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. G9 gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, also known as "Barbecue," has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on critical infrastructure and 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.