Chaos in Haiti Criminal gangs take over the Port au Prince prison

Chaos in Haiti: Criminal gangs take over the Port-au-Prince prison and lead to the escape of several prisoners

Chaos and confusion reigned on the night of last Saturday, March 2nd Haitiafter Several Prisoners escaped of the national prison Prince Port. According to a statement from the embassy of France In the Haitian capital, escapes were made easier after armed gangs took over the prison center. Although they said the number of criminals who escaped was “undetermined,” police sources told CNN it was in the “hundreds.”

Given the current security emergency, one of the Haitian police unions called on all its agents to cooperate with their weapons and cars to defuse the situation, otherwise the country would end up in an even more serious situation. “No one will be saved in the capital because there will now be 3,000 more bandits,” they warned in a statement published on the social network X, formerly Twitter.

Chaos in Haiti Criminal gangs take over the Port au Prince prisonCameras at Port-au-Prince prison captured the escape of several prisoners in Haiti. Photo: Gazette d'Haïti

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Who would have escaped from prison in Haiti?

In prison of Prince Portwhere a massive escape was recently recorded, it involved “important members of very powerful gangs,” according to the newspaper. Gazette d'Haïti. This group lived with common criminals, gang leaders and also 17 retired Colombian soldiers accused of assassinating the president. Jovenel Moisein 2021.

His widow is involved in the assassination of the former president. Martine Moise.

Violence is increasing in Haiti

The new crisis triggered in Haiti began last Thursday, February 29, after the leader of the G9 group Family and Allies, Jimmy Cherizier, aka “Barbacoa,” suggested in a video that he was starting a “revolution” against the prime minister’s government Ariel Henry. According to the former police officer, the current president has never shown any interest in helping the population, which is why he asked the police and army to arrest him. “Once again, the population is not our enemy,” he added.

1709482707 394 Chaos in Haiti Criminal gangs take over the Port au Prince prisonJimmy Cherizier, leader of the G9 Family and Allies gang, calls for the immediate resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Photo: BBC

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Cherizier's statements are added to those of the same population due to dissatisfaction with his leadership and the postponement of elections Ariel Henry announced that they would take place before February 7th. Nevertheless, he pointed out that it was impossible to hold elections given the increasing violence in the country, which is why the new deadline was postponed to August 2025.

In this sense, according to the UN, Haiti ended 2023 with 8,400 victims due to the activities of criminal gangs, an increase of 122% in one year. Only the first month of 2024 was considered the most violent month in two years, with 1,100 people affected.