Violence surged this week in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, as armed gangs attacked a United Nations helicopter and U.S. Embassy vehicles. The latest incidents have led to plans for the evacuation of non-essential U.S. diplomatic staff and the suspension of humanitarian flights.
On Thursday, a helicopter operated by the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), carrying 18 passengers, was struck by multiple bullets while airborne. The helicopter, marked as a UN aircraft, was able to land safely despite at least eight bullet holes in its fuselage and rotor. In response, WFP canceled scheduled flights for Friday.
Earlier in the week, gang members targeted two armored vehicles from the U.S. Embassy, resulting in one vehicle sustaining damage from gunfire. Though no injuries were reported, U.S. officials consider the attack deliberate. In response, the U.S. State Department confirmed plans to evacuate up to 20 diplomatic staff members from Haiti in light of escalating threats.
The attacks follow a rise in police operations against gangs in Port-au-Prince, which the U.S. ambassador said has likely provoked gang reprisals. Armed groups control much of the capital, enforcing roadblocks that restrict movement for residents and essential goods. This week’s violence comes after a previous suspension of international freight services, triggered by an attack on a cargo ship near Port-au-Prince that involved gunfire and kidnapping of crew members.
Violence also expanded into nearby areas, including the coastal town of Arcahaie, where gang members launched an assault that led to the deaths of over 50 people, including 12 who drowned after their boat capsized. Local authorities reported that residents and police clashed with the gang, which belongs to a coalition known as Viv Ansanm. The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that recent attacks in Port-au-Prince alone have displaced more than 10,000 people in a single week, with many residents forced into makeshift shelters.
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