Security forces protecting Haiti’s leader provided covering fire as he left a hospital in Port-au-Prince after an interview, highlighting the ongoing violence in the gang-ravaged nation. The interim Prime Minister, Garry Conille, was being interviewed at a hospital destroyed by gangs when repeated gunfire erupted in a nearby neighborhood. Despite the gunfire being a common occurrence in Port-au-Prince, security forces took action to ensure the safety of the prime minister.
Following the interview, officials and the source team were escorted away in cars, with additional shots fired as they departed onto the main road. The Haitian National Police and the Multinational Security Support (MSS) confirmed that the shots were fired by troops to provide cover for the prime minister's departure. Subsequently, security forces investigated the source of the gunfire in the neighborhood and restored calm.
The incident occurred amidst a backdrop of deadly gang violence and political turmoil that has gripped Haiti since February. Critical infrastructure, including the capital’s airport and seaport, has been targeted by gangs, disrupting essential supply chains for food and aid.
The interview took place at the General Hospital, a once-prominent public health institution now in ruins. The hospital, previously under gang control, was reclaimed by the Haitian National Police and MSS forces, symbolizing efforts to restore state authority in a city where gangs dominate 80% of the land.
Prime Minister Conille, appointed during the country's transition period, aims to guide Haiti towards new elections. The government's reconstruction efforts are underway, but Port-au-Prince remains isolated from the outside world, exacerbating the food insecurity crisis affecting nearly 5 million Haitians.
In late June, the Kenya-led MSS mission began its deployment in Port-au-Prince to support local police in combating gang violence. The mission seeks to address the security challenges plaguing the capital and assist in restoring stability to the nation.
