Haiti: Heightened security measures, gang violence likely to affect several parts of the country through at least early September /update 19

Gang violence and heightened security measures will likely continue in Haiti, especially in Port-au-Prince, through at least early September. The Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission will likely continue focusing on securing key transport and government infrastructure in the coming weeks. This will likely include areas in and around Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP), seaports, the Presidential Palace, and highways connecting Port-au-Prince with the rest of the country. Officials will probably maintain increased security measures in the Champ de Mars area, where multiple gunfights have occurred in recent months. As the mission is not yet in full operational force, further deployments for the MSS are expected in the coming weeks and months. Attacks targeting officials or government buildings remain possible.

The state of emergency (SoE) for 14 communes of the Ouest and Artibonite departments will remain in place through at least Aug. 19 and may be extended past this date. The measure grants wide-ranging powers to officials, such as allowing them to conduct searches as deemed necessary, extend police custody periods, confiscate unregistered vehicles, and put special procedures in place to facilitate faster processing of cases. Publications or gatherings considered subversive or a threat to public order will also be prohibited in the areas under this measure. The communes included in the SoE are Port-au-Prince, Cabaret, Carrefour, Cite Soleil, Croix-des-Bouquets, Delmas, Gressier, Kenscoff, Petion-Ville, Tabarre, and Thomazeau in the Ouest Department. The commune of Petite Riviere de l'Artibonite, as well as areas in the Artibonite Department located between Gros Morne and Tibois d'Homme and areas between Liancourt, Verrettes, and the National Route 1 are also included in the measure.

The communes under SoE measures have registered high levels of criminal activity and will likely be the focus of security operations. According to the SoE provisions, anti-gang task forces will be formed in the Croix-des-Bouquets, Gonaives, and Port-au-Prince jurisdictions. Therefore, violent clashes involving authorities and gangs, as well as gang-perpetrated attacks, including homicides, looting, and arson, are highly likely to continue affecting several of these areas.

The country continues to record high levels of violence. According to the UN's latest report, at least 1379 people were killed or injured, and 428 were kidnapped between April 1 and June 30; a rise in kidnappings has been noted in Artibonite Department during this period. Additionally, multiple organizations in Haiti have reported that gender-based violence is on the rise, especially in the capital. The US embassy in Port-au-Prince has also highlighted the risk of localized outbreaks of gang-perpetrated attacks in and around the capital. The officials have also underlined that additional caution is advised in the Pierre 6, Carrefour Drouillard (including PAP), and the seaports on July 31.

The recent political and security developments and rising prices for essential goods may also trigger further demonstrations, especially in central areas of the capital and other urban centers nationwide. Food, fuel, and medical supply shortages will likely persist in the coming weeks.

Air Travel Disruptions
Flight disruptions remain possible at Haitian airports, especially at PAP and Cap-Haitien International Airport (CAP). Commercial flights have resumed via PAP after severe gang violence forced the airport to close for multiple weeks. The Canadian and US governments continue to advise their citizens not to travel to Haiti.