News Americas, New York, NY, Mon. November 11, 2024: Haiti’s Toussaint L’Ouverture International Airport was temporarily closed on Monday as gangs attempted to take control of the area, following threats from criminal leaders to resume violent activities and warnings to the public to stay off the streets.
Spirit Airlines, a US-based carrier, reported that a flight bound for Haiti was diverted to the Dominican Republic after gunfire hit the plane, injuring a crew member. Spirit Airlines Flight 951 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, landed safely in Santiago, Dominican Republic, where inspection confirmed damage consistent with gunfire. Spirit has since suspended its service to Haiti.
The US Embassy issued a statement on Monday acknowledging the gangs’ efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince, warning of violence and possible armed disruption. “The US Embassy is aware of a temporary suspension of operations at Toussaint L’Ouverture Airport effective November 11, 2024,” it said, urging travelers to consider their own security risks and avoid travel unless necessary.
The attack followed a video statement by Jimmy Cherizier, known as “Barbecue” and leader of the Vivre Ensemble gang, who announced that the group was resuming its offensive. “The time has come for us to take the fate of this country into our own hands,” he said. Another gang leader, linked to the Jeff Gwo Lwa group, advised the public in some regions to avoid traveling to Port-au-Prince because of the expected clashes.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Human Rights Office expressed concern over the escalating crisis in Haiti, where some 4,900 people have been killed in violence this year, and displacement has reached 700,000 people, including 12,000 in the last month alone. Food insecurity is at an unprecedented level, affecting 5.4 million Haitians, and some regions are facing famine-like conditions.
Despite these challenges, UN agencies and partners continue to provide humanitarian aid. As of early 2024, approximately 1.9 million people received support, including food and water distribution. However, the $684 million Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan remains only 43 percent funded.
Amid the turmoil, Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) appointed Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as prime minister by decree. This decision is published in the Official Gazette monitorcontested by current Prime Minister Garry Conille, who argues that it lacks constitutional foundations. In an open letter, Conille criticized the TPC’s move as outside “any legal and constitutional framework,” noting that only Parliament can dismiss a sitting prime minister under Article 158 of the Haitian Constitution.
Ongoing instability and political conflicts continue to deepen Haiti’s humanitarian crisis, underscoring the need for urgent international support and effective governance solutions.
