Haiti has expanded its state of emergency to cover the entire country as violent gangs continue to seize control of key regions. Prime Minister Garry Conille’s spokesperson announced the decision to combat the growing threat of criminal organizations that have overtaken much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and nearby areas.
The state of emergency was first declared in March under former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, targeting the capital’s Ouest department. As gang violence worsened, other areas, including the farming region of Artibonite, the Centre department, and Nippes on the southern peninsula, were later included in the emergency measures.
To reclaim control, Conille has supported the distribution of resources and weapons to the Haitian army and police. This move comes as the U.S., Haiti’s largest foreign security supporter, prepares for Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit. The U.N.-backed mission, requested by Henry in 2022, has seen the deployment of 400 Kenyan officers, with more international troops pledged.
The violence has severely affected Haiti’s population, with nearly 580,000 people displaced and close to 5 million facing severe hunger. The country is struggling under the ongoing conflict, and efforts to restore peace and security remain critical.
References
