Bodies On Streets, Embassies Evacuate Staff As Haiti's Gang War Spreads

Violent gang warfare intensifies in Haiti, with gang-related activities pushing hundreds of thousands from their homes, resulting in mass killings, and rampant sexual assault, arson, and kidnappings for ransom.

In the affluent Petion-Ville near Port-au-Prince, residents sheltered in place due to intense gun battles and discovered corpses in the streets.

At least 15 individuals were reported dead in the district, home to numerous embassies and luxury hotels. Gang leader Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier recently threatened hoteliers accused of harboring seasoned politicians.

Political turmoil follows as Prime Minister Ariel Henry pledged to resign—a move demanded by Haiti's dominant gangs—yet violence persists. The formation of a transitional council, facilitated by international figures, remains uncertain, with diverse responses from Haitian factions.

As chaos escalates, the neighboring Dominican Republic and other nations have evacuated hundreds of foreign staff, including EU, World Bank, and IMF personnel, using helicopters with Haiti's airport shut down.

The U.S. military, under General Laura Richardson, stands ready for potential involvement in Haiti's security, upon request from Haiti's government, although no deployment plans are confirmed.

Haitian activists criticize the government's opaque operations amidst what they allege as a coup during the capital's lockdown.

With the humanitarian crisis worsening—escalating food prices and medical shortages—gang leader Ezechiel Alexandre, an escapee from the national penitentiary, urges his followers to reclaim their district after rival gang conflicts rendered thousands homeless.