December 23, 2024
On the morning of Monday, November 11, 2024, an armed attack took place in the Vivy Mitchell neighborhood of Pétion-Ville. Heavily armed men instilled panic, igniting fires that damaged several houses. Fortunately, the Haitian National Police (PNH) intervened swiftly, pushing back the assailants and restoring a precarious calm to the area.
These violent events come amid a period of severe political instability, heightened by the recent dismissal of Garry Conille from his position as Prime Minister by the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT). Many view this sudden decision as a political power play, sparking increased tension in the capital. Since the announcement, Port-au-Prince has been plagued by unrest, exacerbated by armed gangs seeking to exploit the security vacuum caused by these political upheavals.
In response to the escalating insecurity, several international institutions have taken precautionary measures. The French embassy announced the closure of its consular services on Monday, citing security risks in the capital. Similarly, Canada’s embassy in Port-au-Prince has closed. Meanwhile, the U.S. embassy remained closed due to Veterans Day, adding a layer of complexity for foreign residents seeking access to these services.
Haitian authorities now face mounting pressure to restore order in an environment where distrust toward the transitional government continues to grow. The replacement of Garry Conille with Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as head of government appears to have paved the way for a new period of turmoil. The population fears that these political changes may only worsen the security situation, leaving the capital vulnerable to armed groups that openly defy law enforcement.