Posted 3/15/2024, 9:11:00 AM
Haiti spirals deeper into chaos as gang leader issues threats, fires break out at empty prison, police chief's home torched, embassies reduce staff amid violence forcing people from homes
- Powerful Haitian gang leader Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier issued threats against politicians planning to join a transition council.
- Fires broke out at Port-au-Prince's main penitentiary, now empty after a prison break. The fire's cause is unknown.
- Police chief Frantz Elbe's house was also set on fire, though his whereabouts are unknown.
- Several countries have reduced embassy staff in Haiti amid the instability. The UN, US, and Canada embassies are operating with essential staff only.
- Aid groups report Haitians are being forced from their homes by shootings and facing severe hardships like food shortages, illness, and trauma. Over 360,000 people are internally displaced.