Haiti's main airport remained closed on Tuesday following a wave of violence that erupted as the country swore in its new prime minister amidst a politically tumultuous transition. The closure came after gangs shot at a landing Spirit Airlines airplane in the capital, injuring a flight attendant and prompting the airport shutdown. Photos and videos revealed bullet holes inside the aircraft, leading several airlines to suspend flights to Haiti until at least Thursday.
Heavily armed police in armored vehicles were stationed outside the airport, inspecting passing public transportation trucks. The capital city was at a standstill, with schools, banks, and government offices closed. Streets that were recently battlegrounds between gangs and police were now deserted, save for occasional passersby, including a wounded man on a motorcycle.
The persistent sounds of gunfire served as a stark reminder of the grip that gangs hold over much of Port-au-Prince, with reports indicating that they control 85% of the city. Efforts by a U.N.-backed mission to combat gang violence have been hampered by funding and personnel shortages, prompting calls for a peacekeeping mission.
The recent violence followed the dismissal of interim Prime Minister Garry Conille by a transitional council seeking to restore democratic order in a country that has not held elections since 2016. Despite Conille's objections, businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé was swiftly sworn in as the new interim prime minister, pledging to collaborate with international partners to restore peace and facilitate long-awaited elections.
However, many Haitians, like Martha Jean-Pierre, expressed disillusionment with the political turmoil, fearing that it only emboldens gangs and exacerbates the country's precarious situation as it faces the threat of famine. Jean-Pierre, a mother selling vegetables on the streets to support her family, highlighted the urgent need for security and freedom of movement over political changes.
The ongoing unrest underscores the challenges facing Haiti as it navigates a complex political landscape while grappling with the pervasive influence of criminal gangs, leaving many citizens like Jean-Pierre struggling to secure their livelihoods amidst the chaos.
