Crisis in Haiti – Gang violence disrupts port operations
A group of Haitian policemen in full tactical gear, piled up in a black PNH pickup truck. Image source: Alamy
2 May 2024
In late February 2024, Haiti’s ongoing multidimensional crisis escalated into widespread gang violence, rendering institutions non-functional and causing an acute humanitarian crisis. Shipping operations in Port-au-Prince have been severely disrupted, with attacks on port infrastructure and ships leading to the repeated suspension of operations at different facilities, limiting aid delivery and further aggravating the situation.
By Malte Sieckmann, Security Analyst Intern
Since 2018, Haiti has grappled with high poverty levels, food shortages, and relentless gang violence. The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 underscored the country's ongoing instability. The situation escalated at the end of February 2024 when interim President Ariel Henry was in Kenya to secure the sending of an UN-backed, multinational police force to Haiti. Gangs were quick to fill the power vacuum, seizing control of the capital and disrupting vital infrastructure. Following mounting pressure, Henry resigned on 11 March, which did not improve the situation. Gangs now reportedly control 90% of Port-au-Prince, severely restricting access by air, land, and sea. Around 95,000 people fled the metropolitan area between 8 March and 9 April.
Port facilities in Port-au-Prince have been subject to sabotage and vandalism since 1 March, with armed gangs entering the premises, looting containers, and forcing terminal closures. Gang members continue to partially occupy the ports, drastically reducing commercial activity. On 22 April, the Varreux fuel terminal had to suspend operations, as armed individuals blocked roads leading to the terminal, seized trucks and demanded the terminal to be shut down.
Commercial ships have faced direct threats, with reports of gunfire incidents and piracy. On 20 January and 17 March, merchant vessels were hit by small arms fire. On 4 March, gangs captured the cargo vessel MAGALIE close to Varreux terminal, took the crew hostage and stole cargo. Police were able to recover the vessel during a 5-hour gunfight two days later. The fate of the crew remains unknown.
As a result, shipping companies such as Evergreen and CMA CGM have suspended their calls at Port-au-Prince, with the latter redirecting vessels to Port Lafito in the north. Cruise line Royal Caribbean has cancelled stops to the private Haitian island of Labadee.
On 25 April, a presidential transitional council was sworn in to appoint an interim prime minister. With gangs reportedly opposing the council, widespread violence is expected to continue in Port-au-Prince. The situation in Port-au-Prince remains highly dynamic and volatile, and major improvements are unlikely in the short- to mid-term. A significant change could either stem from foreign intervention or local arrangements between the transitional council and gang leaders. However, the international community remains hesitant to deploy forces amid the current political instability and controversies surrounding previous foreign engagements. With deeply rooted corruption and a tradition of close ties between gangs and politicians, restoring order may necessitate informal agreements between gang leaders and government officials, contributing to uncertainty regarding sustained stability.
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