PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: Armed clashes erupted across the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on Thursday, with a known gang leader saying a coordinated attack by several armed groups to oust Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry was underway.
Gunshots could be heard across the city as authorities clashed with attackers who targeted police stations, the police academy and Toussaint-Levertours International Airport.
“Today, we announce that all armed groups are going to act to get Prime Minister Ariel Henry to step down,” gang leader Jimmy Cherisier, known by the nickname Barbecue, said in a social media post before the attacks began.
“We will use all strategies to achieve this goal,” he said adding, “We claim responsibility for everything that’s happening in the streets right now.”
In recent years, armed groups have taken control of all of Haiti, unleashing brutal violence that has crippled Haiti’s economy and public health system.
At the same time, the Caribbean nation has also been embroiled in widespread civil and political unrest, with thousands taking to the streets in recent weeks to demand Henry’s resignation after he refused to step down as planned.
According to a political agreement signed after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, Haiti held elections and Prime Minister Henry was supposed to hand over power to newly elected officials by February 7 this year, which did not happen.
The attack comes as Henry is currently in Kenya leading a multinational UN Security Council mission to help Haitian police regain control of the country.
A police union official said that at least one police officer was injured in Thursday’s clash.
Schools, universities and businesses have stopped their activities.
At one point, students at the National University of Haiti were held hostage until they were released, according to a dean. He added that at least one student was shot and injured in this conflict.
Airplanes and airport terminals caught fire, and several airlines canceled domestic and international flights.
