Residents of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, are facing escalating violence as gang members clash with police in the Solino neighborhood, one of the few areas not fully controlled by gangs. The ongoing violent firefight between the Viv Ansanm coalition and police has forced families to flee their homes, with many packing their belongings and leaving the area in fear.
The violence erupted following the dismissal of the interim prime minister by Haiti's transitional council amid political turmoil. The country has been grappling with political instability, with no elections held since 2016 due to the pervasive gang violence.
Gangs like the Viv Ansanm coalition have taken advantage of the chaos to assert their power, leading to a surge in violence in the capital. The situation has become so dire that the United Nations reported 20 armed clashes in Port-au-Prince in a single day, with gangs controlling a significant portion of the city.
Efforts by a U.N.-backed mission to subdue the gangs have been unsuccessful, leaving residents feeling abandoned and vulnerable. Many have been forced to flee their homes, with reports of gang members burning belongings and even killing a police officer who was known for fighting back against the gangs.
The new interim prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, has condemned the violence and ordered police to regain control of the airport and surrounding areas. However, the situation remains tense, with videos on social media showing smoke rising from the Solino area and gunfire echoing through the streets.
As the violence continues to escalate, residents are left with uncertainty and fear, unsure of where to seek refuge. The plight of those caught in the crossfire highlights the urgent need for stability and security in Haiti as the country grapples with political turmoil and rampant gang violence.
