Haiti’s main airport was shut down on Monday after a commercial flight was attacked by gangs, prompting airlines to suspend operations. The shooting occurred just hours before the swearing-in ceremony of Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, the new interim prime minister.
Fils-Aimé promised to restore peace in Haiti and hold elections, which have not been held since 2016. However, his predecessor, Garry Conille, was fired by a council meant to reestablish democratic order, sparking infighting and calls for a UN peacekeeping mission.
The turmoil is part of a broader crisis in Haiti, where gangs control much of the capital and have capitalized on power vacuums to make their own power grabs. The country has seen weeks of political chaos, with observers warning that more violence could ensue.
As the situation continues to unfold, Fils-Aimé urged all parties involved to work constructively together. The United Nations estimates that gangs control 85% of Port-au-Prince and is urging a UN peacekeeping mission to quell gang violence.
The shutdown of Haiti’s main airport is the latest development in a crisis that has left the country on edge. With schools closed, panic spreading, and firefights between gangs and police reported, the situation remains dire.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/haiti-airport-gang-violence-5a8a96a179f26fb6cde1265483e5f4b5