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Haiti’s international airport was closed on Monday following an incident where gangs fired at a commercial flight approaching Port-au-Prince. The event led several airlines to temporarily suspend their services as the nation inaugurated a new interim prime minister who pledged to restore order.
A Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Port-au-Prince was nearly landing when it came under fire from gangs. A flight attendant sustained minor injuries, prompting the plane to divert to the Dominican Republic. The US Embassy and flight tracking data confirmed the incident.
The US Embassy described the shooting as part of “gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince,” which may include armed attacks and disruptions to infrastructure. As a result, Spirit, JetBlue, and American Airlines cancelled flights to and from Haiti on Monday.
Simultaneously, clashes between gangs and police erupted in other parts of Port-au-Prince. Gunfire echoed as heavily armed officers sought cover and civilians fled in panic. In wealthier areas, gangs set homes ablaze, leading to school closures and widespread panic.
This upheaval coincided with the dismissal of interim prime minister Garry Conille by a council aiming to restore democratic order. Businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aimé was sworn in as his replacement, prioritising the restoration of peace and the holding of elections, which have not occurred in Haiti since 2016.
“There is a lot to be done to bring back hope,” Fils-Aimé said to an audience of diplomats and security officials. “I’m deeply sorry for the people … that have been victimised, forced to leave everything they own.”
Haiti has faced weeks of political instability, raising concerns about escalating violence in a country where such turmoil is increasingly common. Gangs have exploited the political vacuum to seize control, disrupting airports and shipping ports, and sowing chaos.
The United Nations estimates that gangs control 85% of Port-au-Prince. A UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police to combat gang violence is struggling with insufficient resources, leading to calls for a full UN peacekeeping mission.
Frances Ibiefo
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