The Justice Ministry in Haiti has issued a warning regarding potential threats against Prime Minister Garry Conille and other Cabinet officials, urging authorities to take appropriate measures to ensure their safety. The ministry stated that it had received consistent and persistent information that the officials could be targeted by malicious actors seeking to cause trouble and panic in the country. The exact nature of the threats was not disclosed in the statement, and neither judicial authorities nor the prime minister’s office provided further comments on the matter.
The warning comes amidst a recent escalation in gang violence in several neighborhoods of Haiti’s capital, with more than 4,000 people left homeless due to attacks in areas like Solino and Tabarre 27. The violence is attributed to a gang coalition known as “Viv Ansanm,” which has been responsible for large-scale attacks since February targeting critical government infrastructure. These attacks ultimately led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The connection between Haiti’s politics and violence is deeply intertwined, according to analysts, with armed group activity often rising during times of escalating governance crises.
Recent gang attacks have been reported in various parts of Haiti, including the coastal town of Arcahaie and the central town of Estere, where gunmen targeted a school, resulting in the death of at least one parent and injuries to a student. The town of Estere is located near Pont-Sondé, where a gang carried out one of the largest massacres in recent Haitian history, killing at least 115 people. The situation has raised concerns, especially following the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, which sparked a period of political turmoil in the country. Gang leaders have also threatened journalists covering the violence, prompting calls for increased protection for reporters.
María Isabel Salvador, the U.N. special envoy for Haiti, informed the Security Council that the situation in Haiti has worsened, with over 700,000 people displaced by gang violence in recent months. She noted significant challenges facing the political process despite initial advances, highlighting the fragile security situation and renewed peaks of violence. Justice Minister Carlos Hercule attributed the current gang violence to “forces of darkness” that operated in Haiti two decades ago, forming coalitions with ex-convicts and delinquents armed with illegal firearms. The U.S. government and others have raised concerns about the lack of funds and personnel for the U.N.-backed mission to quell gang violence.
In response to the ongoing violence, the top U.S. diplomat for Latin America and the Caribbean condemned those seeking to destabilize Haiti for personal gain, emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation to address the country’s pressing issues. Calls have been made for the U.N.-backed mission to receive more support and potentially transition into a peacekeeping mission, with backing from Haiti’s former transitional presidential council leader. The situation remains precarious, with political infighting adding to the challenges faced by Haitian officials as they navigate the complex security landscape. The need for swift action and comprehensive measures to address the threats facing Haiti’s leaders and communities is more urgent than ever.
