U.S. Embassy Urges Americans to Leave Haiti Amid Ongoing Unrest and Political Turmoil
The U.S. Embassy in Haiti has issued a statement advising Americans to leave the country “as soon as possible” due to the continued unrest and political turmoil. The embassy released an advisory on Wednesday, stating that U.S. citizens should depart Haiti using commercial or private transport.
The current security situation and infrastructure challenges in Haiti have prompted the embassy’s urgent warning. In addition to leaving the country, American citizens are urged to exercise extreme caution while traveling and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings of people. The embassy also advised individuals to turn around and find a safe area if faced with a roadblock.
Last month, the United States evacuated non-emergency government personnel and the family members of diplomats from the embassy in Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital. The decision to evacuate came after Haitians sought refuge outside the U.S. Embassy, seeking protection from heavy gunfire in the surrounding area.
Haiti has been grappling with a surge in gang violence following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. According to The Washington Post, armed gangs now hold power in up to 90 percent of Port-au-Prince, resulting in widespread killings, rapes, and the displacement of civilians. These gangs are engaged in a struggle for control of territory and resources.
While Prime Minister Ariel Henry called for an armed multinational force to address the crisis last year, this request has largely gone unanswered. The United States has deferred to Canada to lead such a force, but Ottawa has been hesitant to take on this responsibility. As a result, civilians in Haiti have formed armed vigilante groups to combat the gangs.
Kenya recently expressed its willingness to consider leading a multinational force aimed at restoring control to Haitian authorities. However, no concrete action has been taken so far.
In light of the escalating situation, the U.S. Embassy emphasized that flight availability from Haiti is extremely limited. Seats on flights fill up quickly and may only be available several days or even weeks in advance of departure. American Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit, and domestic carrier Sunrise Airways are among the airlines servicing Haiti.
Some American Airlines flights to Miami were reportedly selling for almost $2,000 due to the high demand and limited availability.
As the situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, the U.S. Embassy is urging its citizens to prioritize their safety and make immediate arrangements to leave the country. The embassy’s advisory serves as a stark reminder of the severity of the situation and the need for swift action.
This article was written with contributions from Karen DeYoung.