Hundreds of inmates have broken out of Haiti’s National Penitentiary in the capital, Port-au-Prince, following violent clashes that erupted on Saturday, according to a law enforcement source.
In a plea posted on X, one of Haiti’s Police Unions called on all officers in the capital with access to vehicles and weapons to aid in the ongoing struggle to regain control of the penitentiary. The union warned that if the attackers succeeded, the consequences would be dire, stating that “we are done. No one will be spared in the capital because there will be 3,000 additional bandits now active.”
Reports from multiple security sources in Port-au-Prince indicate that the recent escalation of violence, which began on Thursday and has targeted police stations, the international airport, and the National Penitentiary, is unprecedented in recent years.
Haitian gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, also known as Barbecue, declared his commitment to continue efforts to remove Prime Minister Ariel Henry on Friday.
Cherizier, a former police officer who leads an alliance of gangs, has been sanctioned by both the United Nations and the United States Department of Treasury.
Tensions have been mounting against Henry due to his failure to quell the unrest, and public frustration reached a boiling point after he refused to resign last month, citing the escalating violence. Under a previous agreement, Henry had pledged to hold elections and transfer power by February 7.
Caribbean leaders announced that Henry had agreed to hold general elections no later than August 31, 2025. The recent clashes coincided with Henry’s visit to Kenya to finalize details with President William Ruto for the anticipated deployment of a multinational security support mission to Haiti.
Gunfire near the airport on Thursday led to the suspension of flights by airlines, while the US Embassy in Haiti issued a security alert warning of gunshots and traffic disruptions in various areas, including the airport, a hotel, and the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police.
Haiti has been plagued by a wave of unrest and gang violence in recent years, with warring gangs controlling much of Port-au-Prince and causing significant disruptions to supply lines. The violence has forced over 300,000 people to flee their homes due to indiscriminate killings, kidnappings, arson, and assaults.
The situation escalated further in January, with over 1,100 people either killed, injured, or kidnapped, marking the most violent month in two years according to the United Nations.
