In March 2024, armed gangs stormed the two largest prisons in
Haiti, resulting in more than 4,700 inmates escaping. The gangs demanded that prime minister
Ariel Henry resign. The Haitian government declared a 72-hour
state of emergency and a nighttime
curfew in
Ouest Department in an attempt to curb the violence and chaos. On 12 March 2024, Henry indicated his intention to resign as prime minister in response to the deteriorating security situation.[8]
Background
On 1 March 2024, Haitian prime minister Ariel Henry traveled to
Kenya and signed an agreement designed to circumvent the Kenyan high court's earlier ruling declaring the
UN-backed operation to ensure Haitian security as unconstitutional under Kenyan law.[9]
Events
Jimmy Chérizier, the leader of the "G9 Family and Allies" gang in Port-au-Prince, released a video announcing his intention to prevent Ariel Henry from returning to Haiti with the operation. On 1 March, when asked if it was safe for him to return to Haiti, Henry shrugged.[10] Chérizier apparently had the backing of some other gangs as part of a coalition named "Viv Ansanm",
Haitian Creole for "living together". Though that coalition was quick to dissolve, other gangs launched attacks, together with Chérizier's G9 gang.[11] On 1 March, gunfire at the airport caused damage to some of the airliners.[12]
On 2 and 3 March, armed gangs stormed the two largest prisons in Haiti, one in
Croix des Bouquets, the other in Port-au-Prince.[13] More than 4,700 inmates escaped.[10] Police were reported to be undermanned and outgunned by the gangs, with only 9,000 operating in Haiti at the time of the fighting.[14] The
400 Mawozo gang operates in the Croix-des-Bouquets area and has influence at its prison, according to
Insight Crime.[15] Chérizier, who took responsibility for the surge in violence, said his goal was to capture Haitian government officials, including the police chief.[16] Over 12 people have been killed in the conflict.[13] The UN estimates that 15,000 people have fled the violence in Port-au-Prince.[16]
The Haitian government, under finance minister
Michel Patrick Boisvert, declared a 72-hour state of emergency and a nighttime curfew in an attempt to curb the violence and chaos.[17] Chérizier claimed responsibility for the increase in attacks, and demanded Henry's resignation, adding that the goal of the increase in attacks was to capture important government officials, including the police chief.[9] Many escaped gang leaders joined the attacks,[18] fueling speculation that an alliance between rival gangs in the
Haitian gang wars was forming to overthrow the Haitian elite.[19]
On 4 March, at around 1 p.m. local time, armed gangs attacked the heavily fortified
Toussaint Louverture International Airport, exchanging gunfire with police and the
Haitian Armed Forces, in an attempt to take control of the facility after rumors that Henry would return to Haiti,[20] Johnson André, the leader of the 5 Seconds gang, appeared to be linked to the attacks.[10] Other riot leaders, including
Guy Philippe, reportedly will try to take over the presidency of Haiti.[21] Flights were grounded as the airport was shut down. The
Stade Sylvio Cator[22][23] and
national bank[24] were attacked. Other public institutions, including schools and banks, have been closed.[25]
There was another reported jailbreak on 5 March, leading to the death of three inmates. Haitian police were able to stop attempts at escape.[26][27][better source needed]
On 6 March, a police station in Bas-Peu-de-Chose was attacked and burned down by gangs.[28]
On 7 March, the state of emergency in the
Ouest Department, including a nightly curfew and bans on protests, was extended from three days to a month (3 April).[28]
On 9 March, gangs attacked and occupied the headquarters of the Institute of Social Welfare in Port-au Prince, while the government of the Dominican Republic announced plans to evacuate its officials and citizens from Port-au-Prince.[33]
On 21 March, one of the gang leaders, known only as Makandal, was killed by the bwa kale in Petion-Ville.[34] A day later,
Ernst Julme, the leader of Delmas 95 who had escaped from prison earlier in the month, was killed by police in the same area. Julme's death was described as a significant setback for Cherizier in his attempts to take over Port-au-Prince.[35][36]
Reactions
International
Countries
Colombia: The Colombian foreign ministry asked Haiti to provide "special protection" to the 18 ex-Colombian soldiers convicted of the
assassination of Jovenel Moïse who remained in their cells during the jailbreak.[16]