Haitian gangs launched a coordinated assault on multiple government buildings in or near downtown Port-au-Prince early Friday evening, according to a law enforcement source involved in the operation. The attack targeted key institutions including the Presidential Palace, the Interior Ministry, and a police headquarters. Witnesses reported intense gunfire and explosions, forcing hundreds to flee the area.
As of now, the attack seems to be subsiding, with gang members beginning to retreat. However, it remains unclear if the fighting has ceased for the night or if the gangs are regrouping. Preliminary reports suggest approximately a dozen gang members were killed, although this figure is not yet confirmed. Fortunately, no police casualties have been reported.
The Presidential Palace, although uninhabited by any Haitian president since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, remains a symbol of federal governance and is heavily guarded. Its capture by gangs would represent a significant symbolic blow to Haiti's efforts to combat organized crime and rebellion in the country.
Haiti has been in a state of open rebellion since the previous week, with the country's most powerful gangs uniting to launch a series of attacks against government institutions. The acting Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, has been unable to return to the country, as he was out of the country when the attacks began.
In response to the escalating violence, the Haitian government has declared a state of emergency. The U.S. State Department has advised American citizens to leave Haiti, and the U.S. Embassy in Haiti has issued a warning urging citizens to monitor local news and secure transportation options for leaving the country when conditions permit.
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