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The EU has evacuated its staff from Haiti in response to a “dramatic security deterioration,” European Commission spokesperson Peter Stano said Monday.
Gang violence has engulfed the Caribbean nation in recent days, forcing hospitals to close; last week several gangs attacked state institutions and released thousands of prisoners. They are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry and attempting to prevent his return to Haiti.
The gangs have also attacked police stations and prisons, looted seaports and public buildings, and shut down the airport, blocking shipments of critical supplies such as food. Henry, who was out of the country when violence flared, is stranded in Puerto Rico.
“As a response to the dramatic security deterioration, we took the decision to reduce our activities on the ground and we moved the staff of [the] EU delegation in Port-au-Prince to a safer location outside the country,” Stano said.
Haiti has long been mired in economic and structural crises. Food is in low supply and access to water has been restricted; according to the World Food Programme, more than 4.35 million people — almost half of the island’s population — suffer from acute hunger.
The EU expressed concern over the increasing violence. “This is not really helping the people of Haiti who have been suffering for a very long time,” Stano said. The EU delegation will continue to work outside Haiti.
Haiti has been without a functioning government for more than a year after multiple failed efforts to hold elections. Its last president, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated in July 2021 in unclear circumstances and was succeeded by the unelected current prime minister, who is refusing to step down despite international pressure.
On Monday the U.S. airlifted nonessential stuff from Haiti and sent additional forces to secure the country’s embassy.
