USDepartment of State issues “do not travel” security alert for Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE — The U.S. Department of State issued a security alert update on Haiti on Wednesday, stating that the country “remains under a Level 4 – Do Not Travel – Travel Advisory” due to high risk and potential outbreaks of gang-led violence. The U.S. government advises American citizens against traveling to Haiti. Those already in  the country are recommended to leave, but U.S. authorities specifies that they cannot guarantee safety for any travelers.

“The Embassy reminds all citizens that Haiti, including Port-au-Prince, remains under a Level 4 – Do Not Travel – Travel Advisory,” read a note posted on July 31 on the U.S Embassy site.

That same security alert update on  Haiti was also posted on X by the State Department. It continued by saying: “The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous. “Travel within Haiti is conducted at your own risk.  The U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety traveling to airports, borders, or during any onward travel. You should consider your personal security situation before traveling anywhere in Haiti.”

Among recommended precautions for American citizens in Haiti, the authorities advise: avoiding crowds; following local media for updates and staying away from areas where violence, protests, or disturbances are reported; keeping a low profile; being prepared to shelter in place for extended periods; avoiding being outside after dark; and ensuring travel documents are up-to-date and easily accessible.

Port-au-Prince remains the primary area of concern in this alert. In areas like Pierre 6 and Carrefour Drouillard, around Toussaint Louverture International Airport and the ports of Port-au-Prince, the State Department advises Americans to exercise particular caution while traveling.

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince said it would continue monitoring gang violence hotspots in the capital and surrounding areas. It warned that gunfire could occur in any part of Haiti, posing risks of being hit by stray bullets.

This advisory comes as violence in Haiti intensifies, particularly in Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs control over 80% of the city. Recent gang incidents have raised questions about when security will be restored in the country.

On July 29, Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille had to flee the facility of the State University of Haiti Hospital (HUEH), which he was visited, under gunfire from armed gangs. The following day, the Multinational Security and Support (MSS) mission reported its first casualty. A Kenyan police officer injured in the shoulder during a gunfight with gang members, who were looting a rice shipment near a Port-au-Prince port.

Despite a decrease in the number of murders, gunshot injuries and kidnappings in the second quarter of 2024, the situation remains concerning. Recent incidents underscore the dangerous environment in Port-au-Prince.

The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) indicated in a recent report that in the second quarter of 2024, gang violence resulted in 1,397 people being killed or injured and 428 kidnappings. This represents a decrease from the first quarter’s 2,505 casualties, showing a 45% reduction in murders and shootings and a 2% decrease in kidnappings.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), Edgard Gardy Leblanc Fils, participating in the 47th regular meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of State and Government Conference, said on July 29 that the security situation in Haiti has improved thanks to the actions of the country’s security forces, supported by the Kenyan police-led MSS.

“Thanks to their help, the State has regained control of the country’s largest hospital and its surroundings,” Leblanc said. “In the north and south, about 80,000 9th-grade students successfully completed their official exams last week,” he added.

During his remarks, Leblanc expressed confidence in Haiti’s future, asserting that the hardships and suffering endured by the Haitian people will not diminish their resilience

Despite all, gangs continue to attack police infrastructure, notably in the communes of Gressier, Carrefour, and Ganthier, where they have demolished police stations and terrorized the civilian population. Additionally, areas around the country’s largest hospital remain inaccessible and under threat from gangs. National roads are under gang control, and there have been no significant police operations in these areas despite the presence of 400 Kenyan police officers in Haiti.

However, Leblanc told CARICOM: “I assure you that my country will overcome the challenges and obstacles hindering its effective integration into the Caribbean Community.”

The post USDepartment of State issues “do not travel” security alert for Haiti appeared first on The Haitian Times.