Haiti's stability hangs in balance amid brutal wave of violence

PANAMA CITY - Haiti remained plunged in uncertainty on Tuesday following a fresh wave of violence unleashed by criminal gangs in Port-au-Prince, the capital of the Caribbean country.

Violence spiraled to new levels on Saturday when two major prisons came under attack, undermining the country's security and stability, according to reports from Haitian authorities.

The attacks triggered a mass escape of prisoners from the national penitentiary and the prison of Croix des Bouquets. The incident led to clashes between gangs and police, and other disturbances, resulting in at least 12 deaths.

On Monday, police and military forces were locked in a fierce gun battle with heavily armed gangs attempting to take control of the capital's Toussaint Louverture International Airport, the country's main port of entry by air.

The airport was shut down when members of criminal gangs overran the terminal, sending employees running for cover amid the exchange of gunfire. Conditions at the airport and the impact of the clashes remain unclear.

The Haitian government on Sunday declared a 72-hour state of emergency with a nighttime curfew in the south-central department of Ouest, where the capital is located. The decision followed a perceived deterioration in security, particularly in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince.

In the absence of Ariel Henry, who was serving as acting prime minister since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise nearly three years ago, interim Prime Minister Michel Patrick Boisvert decided to implement the emergency measure to restore order and regain control of the capital.

In a statement prior to declaring the state of emergency, the Haitian government highlighted the bravery of police officers who attempted to repel the assault on the prisons but regretted that, despite their efforts, they failed to stop the breakout.

Haitian authorities have called on residents to remain calm and requested continued support for the National Police, saying officers will do everything possible to locate escaped prisoners and arrest those responsible to restore "public order".

The crisis in Haiti arises amid heightened political instability, which worsened following Moise's assassination in July 2021. The violence further roils a country already struggling with the aftermath of natural disasters and poverty.

The situation in the Caribbean country has forced a significant number of Haitians to abandon their homes. According to the United Nations data, more than 300,000 people are internally displaced in Haiti, while more than 5.5 million people, nearly half of the country's population, are in need of humanitarian assistance.