Port-au-Prince, Haiti – Over the weekend, a violent attack led to a mass escape of several thousand inmates from Haiti’s main prison in the capital city. At least a dozen people lost their lives during the chaos, with reports indicating that another facility, Croix des Bouquets, also experienced a similar attack resulting in a significant number of inmates breaking free.
The turmoil in Haiti continued as international connectivity was disrupted due to violent clashes damaging communication infrastructure in the capital city. Despite the challenges, telecom providers like Digicel worked diligently to restore connections to the country by Sunday afternoon.
Following the overnight attack, Pierre Esperance of the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights reported that only around 100 out of the nearly 3,800 inmates from the National Penitentiary remained incarcerated. Witness accounts described a scene of devastation with numerous bodies and wounded individuals left behind.
In a separate incident at Croix des Bouquets, police clashed with a gang resulting in injuries to both staff and inmates. Details on the number of escapees from this second facility remain unclear, adding to the chaos and uncertainty gripping the nation.
The recent surge in violence in Port-au-Prince has been attributed to heavily armed gangs seeking the removal of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has been leading Haiti following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. Gang leaders and individuals linked to Moise’s assassination were reportedly among the prisoners who escaped the main prison over the weekend.
As tensions escalate and calls for political change grow louder, Haiti finds itself grappling with ongoing turmoil and instability. The absence of elections since 2016 and the vacancy in the presidency have fueled protests demanding Henry’s resignation and the transfer of power to newly elected officials as per a political agreement.
Amidst the chaos, Prime Minister Henry’s whereabouts remain uncertain, adding to the air of uncertainty and unrest in the troubled nation. With no immediate resolution in sight, Haiti continues to face a humanitarian crisis compounded by political strife and violence.