According to Agence France-Presse (AFP) local time 3**, the national prison in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, was attacked by armed gangs, and 97% of prisoners, including felons, escaped, and Haiti** declared a state of emergency in the capital Port-au-Prince, while imposing curfew measures. At present, the U.S. and French embassies in Haiti have suspended services, and the United States** has demanded that U.S. citizens be evacuated from Haiti immediately.
Burning tires near the National Penitentiary in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. Screenshot from foreign media.
According to reports, on the 2nd local time, an armed group attacked the Port-au-Prince National Penitentiary, causing some police and prison staff**, and also causing 3,597 of the total 3,696 prisoners to escape, including some extremely dangerous people and felons. At least 12 people have been killed in the attack, and Haiti** is considering asking for help from other countries to help restore order in the country.
Following the attack, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti demanded the immediate evacuation of U.S. citizens, saying in a statement: "U.S. citizens in Haiti should leave Haiti as soon as possible using commercial transportation or other available private transportation, given the current security situation in Haiti." At the same time, the U.S. Embassy is asking citizens not to travel to the country unless necessary.
At the same time, the French Embassy in Haiti also took emergency measures, announcing the temporary closure of visa and administrative services.
Haiti issued a communiqué on the evening of the 3rd, declaring a 72-hour state of emergency in the Western Province, where the capital Port-au-Prince is located.
It is reported that the National Prison in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, mainly houses felons. Before this attack, on February 29, local time, Jimmy Cherisir, one of Haiti's most famous drug lords, announced the start of opposition to Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry's **.
According to reports, on July 7, 2021, Joffnell Moïse, then Haiti**, was assassinated, and the **, which was scheduled to be held before February 7 this year, could not be held as scheduled, causing social discontent.
*: Global Times.