NewsThe gruesome crisis in Haiti continues

The gruesome crisis in Haiti continues

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI - MARCH 09: People leave their places after seeing the armored police car, as Haitians forced to flee their homes amid spiraling gang violence in port-au-prince, Haiti on March 9, 2024. An initial three-day curfew was announced over the weekend, but gangs have continued attacking police stations and other official institutions, which has the police besieged and outnumbered to combat the armed gangs. According to official figures, a dozen police buildings have been attacked. (Photo by Guerinault Louis/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Images source: © GETTY | Anadolu

12:32 PM EDT, March 11, 2024

Anarchy is spreading; the gangs are taking over control over the capital in Port-Au-Prince. The government is as weak as ever before. Police is divided. The people of Haiti are suffering.

The attack on the National Palace

In the weekend there was yet another escalation of violance in the capital in Port-Au-Prince. This time the gangs stood openly against the government and embarked on an frontal attack on the Interior Ministry and the National Palace. The building was set on fire with the use of petrol bombs.

The gangs also decide to assault prisons in order to release the prisoners, mostly former members of the gangs ready to rejoin and cointinue fighting.

Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier

Jimmy Chérizier, the pseudonym "Barbecue," is probably the most influential person in Haiti right now. He is the leader of the biggest gang, G-9, and he says all his actions are aimed at forcing the current Prime Minister to resign. He is blackmailing the country with the threat of "civil war" and "genocide" should the Prime Minister decide not to step down.

All Americans were ordered to evacuate by there are some stranded due to the closing of all of the international airports.

Prime Minister of Haiti Ariel Henry is now in Porto-Rico due to being unable to land in Haiti.

We quote BBC News on Jimmy Cherizier and his recent outspokings:

With no prime minister and a government in disarray, the gangs' power over the capital is near absolute.

They control more than 80% of Port-au-Prince and the country's most notorious gang leader, Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier has again told the prime minister to resign.

"If Ariel Henry doesn't step down and the international community continues to support him," he said last week, "they will lead us directly to a civil war which will end in genocide."

BBC News

The police is very weak and unable to outgun the gangs. They are outnumbered and divided. Recently one of the police stations was assaulted and burned to the ground.

Sources: BBC News; ABC News