Heavy gunfire broke out in the downtown area of Haiti’s capital on Monday as police engaged in a several-hour-long battle with gang members near the National Palace. Reports from local media indicated that at least one policeman was shot during the confrontation, which led to officers fleeing an armored car that was subsequently set ablaze.
Amid the chaos, scores of individuals found themselves trapped by the gunfire in downtown Port-au-Prince, while others managed to escape. One unidentified man shared his harrowing experience of being stranded for five hours until police eventually rescued him. He credited an armored car for providing cover that allowed him to leave the area safely.
The latest clash follows a series of attacks by powerful gangs on critical government infrastructure over the past month. These assaults have included the torching of police stations, gunfire directed at the closed main international airport, and the storming of Haiti’s two largest prisons, resulting in the release of over 4,000 inmates.
Although the intensity of the violence has somewhat diminished in certain areas since the onset of the attacks in late February, the sound of gunfire remains a daily occurrence. As of March 22, the United Nations reported a death toll of 1,554 individuals, with an additional 826 people sustaining injuries.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his intention to resign last month once a transitional council is established. While on an official trip to Kenya advocating for the deployment of a U.N.-supported police force from East Africa, Henry found himself unable to return to Haiti due to the ongoing crisis.
The proposed transitional council, comprising nine members, is tasked with selecting a new prime minister and council of ministers. However, its formal establishment is pending. The government expressed reservations regarding the council's formation, citing constitutional and legal concerns.
Government officials disclosed that the current council of ministers convened on Monday to discuss the transitional council and sought input from legal experts to ensure compliance with Haitian laws. Plans are underway to establish a joint commission to facilitate the transfer of responsibilities.
Henry received a list of nine nominees for the transitional council on Friday, along with a draft decree outlining the council's structure on Sunday.
