Haiti’s Ongoing Political Crisis: Fierce Battles and Gang Violence
Photo Greg Gebhardt Creative Commons. Highly painted buses called guaguas are a feature of street life in the city of Port au Prince.
Violence Escalates in Port au Prince
Large groups of residents fled their homes in Port au Prince on Thursday during a fierce battle between gang members and police in one of the few areas of Haiti’s capital still not completely controlled by gangs. The violence has intensified amid ongoing political chaos.
Families hurriedly loaded mattresses and furniture into cars or carried their belongings on their heads as they left the Solino neighborhood. This area of Port-au-Prince has been the scene of intense clashes between police and a gang coalition called Viv Ansanm over the past few days.
"We just managed to escape," said 52-year-old Jean-Jean Pierre, carrying his son as he joined the crowds leaving the neighborhood. "I’ve lived here for 40 years, and it’s never been this bad."
Newly Appointed Prime Minister
The United States recognized businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime as the newly appointed prime minister of Haiti, a State Department spokesman said in a statement Tuesday. Matthew Miller said the U.S. "looks forward to working with" Fils-Aime and the Transitional Presidential Council "to advance progress against urgent priorities in the coming months."
Fils-Aime, the former chairman of the board of Haiti’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was sworn in Monday, replacing Garry Conille, who served as the country’s prime minister for only six months.
Context and Background
Violence in the capital worsened after Sunday when Haiti’s transitional council, tasked with restoring democracy, removed the interim prime minister due to political disagreements. The country has not held elections since 2016, largely because of the ongoing gang violence.
The transitional council was created in April to choose the Caribbean country’s prime minister and Cabinet, paving the way to the restoration of the democratic process to the gang violence-plagued country.
Democratic elections have not been held in Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.
Recent Incidents
As Fils-Aime was being sworn in, gangs shot at a Spirit Airlines airplane as it was attempting to land at Toussaint L’Ouverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital. The flight was diverted to the Dominican Republic, where it landed.
The U.S. Embassy in Haiti said in an alert Monday that it was "aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed violence, and disruptions to roads, ports and airports."
Conclusion
Haiti’s ongoing political crisis shows no signs of abating, with gang violence and fierce battles intensifying in the capital. The appointment of a new prime minister is a step towards restoring democracy, but the path forward remains uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current situation in Haiti’s capital?
A: Violence has escalated in Port-au-Prince, with large groups of residents fleeing their homes due to fierce battles between gang members and police.
Q: Who is the newly appointed prime minister of Haiti?
A: Alix Didier Fils-Aime, a businessman and former chairman of the board of Haiti’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was sworn in Monday.
Q: What is the cause of the violence in Haiti?
A: The ongoing political crisis and gang violence have contributed to the worsening situation in the capital.
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