Mobs in Haiti Attack Government Buildings (+VIDEOS)

Tensions between the authorities and armed crime groups continue in Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince, with repeated shootings near the National Palace Friday night.

According to local media, outlaw gangs are trying at all costs to control several units of the national police, including the city police station and the Departmental Law Enforcement Wing (UDMO).

Witnesses in the area said a heavy and prolonged exchange of gunfire took place between the two sides. The police have ordered their agents to try to thwart the attacks and prevent the gangs from taking control of the places.

For its part, and according to press sources, Haiti's Ministry of the Interior has come under fire as a result of arson by criminals trying to take over the Supreme Court.

Earlier, one of the armed groups that unleashed violence in the country expressed its intention to “control political power in Haiti”.

The streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, reflect chaos and violence in recent days. Despite the state of emergency, shots were fired near the National Palace on the night of March 8. pic.twitter.com/vxAoKdZxoX

— Learn more (@Sepa_mass) March 9, 2024

Fast and coordinated attacks

A source quoted by the ABC news channel confirmed that the events were part of a coordinated attack targeting several government buildings, in which different groups quickly struck at the same time.

Gunshots and explosions were heard, while hundreds of people fled the area as gangs clashed with police.

“It's not clear if the fighting ended overnight or if the gangs are simply reuniting,” the outlet says.

On the other hand, Haiti's international airport was reported to be in the hands of gangs. A picture shared on social media shows how the concrete barriers around its perimeter have been damaged.

Commercial flights have been canceled and Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who is in Puerto Rico, has been unable to return. Last week Henry embarked on a trip abroad following this new outbreak of violence.

Actions to overthrow Henry's government have intensified in his absence. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington believes the prime minister's return is important and should be allowed to do so.

“Instant Genocide”

Earlier in the day, the leader of the armed groups that have unleashed a wave of violence, Jimmy Serisier, known as 'Barbecue', warned that Haiti would face “immediate genocide” if the prime minister did not resign.

In his words, the government led by Henry is “illegitimate” and “subject to orders from the United States” for irregular armed groups seeking to control political power in Haiti.

Ceresier promises that the armed groups he is coordinating have a force of “between 7,000 and 8,000 men” ready “for battle”.

Gutwrenchung photos from PAP airport tonight-mobs holed up airport perimeters to breach secure zone….commercial flight canceled for another week – now when can they return? Or will the parolees leave? @JackieCharles @seejeanty @juno7 pic.twitter.com/5fbzqPtLgw

— Tommy Ray (@McGill_HoytLaw) March 9, 2024

On the verge of collapse

For its part, the Haitian government extended the state of emergency for a month, which was declared in the Western sector, where the capital is located, due to a “collapse of security”.

Meanwhile, the UN has warned that the health system in Haiti is at risk and is on the verge of collapse due to “a shortage of medicines and a lack of medical personnel”.

Mobs looted ports, public buildings and shops.

Roadblocks and attacks on food trucks have also been added.

Also, several police stations have been attacked, as well as prisons, from which about 4,600 inmates have been freed, The New York Times reported.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken this week urged Prime Minister Henry to speed up the transition to a change of government.

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