The UK Government has issued a stern warning against all travel to Haiti due to escalating violence and widespread gang conflicts in the Caribbean nation.
Beginning on February 29, powerful gangs have initiated attacks on critical government installations throughout the capital city of Port-au-Prince, with the aim of ousting Prime Minister Ariel Henry from power.
Given the volatile situation, the absence of British consular officials on the ground since November 2019 has severely limited the scope of consular assistance. Embassy staff relocated to the neighboring Dominican Republic for safety reasons.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has emphasized the severity of the security situation in Haiti, advising against all travel to the country.
The violence has led to the burning of police stations, closure of major international airports, and mass prison breakouts, resulting in the release of over 4,000 inmates. Numerous fatalities have been reported, and more than 15,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes due to gang raids.
In response to the crisis, the United States has evacuated non-essential embassy staff from Port-au-Prince.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry has found himself stranded outside of Haiti, having been denied entry into the Dominican Republic after landing in Puerto Rico. His absence has stirred demands for his resignation, although he has remained silent since the onset of the attacks.
Despite efforts by Mr. Henry to garner support for the deployment of a UN-backed police force from Kenya, the initiative has been delayed due to legal challenges in the east African country.
With the situation in Haiti rapidly deteriorating, the UK and other nations are closely monitoring developments and urging all citizens to avoid travel to the region until stability is restored.