Haiti's main airport shuts down amid gang violence surge: US Embassy
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to fix the location where the flight that took gunfire originated. It departed from Florida.
The main airport in Haiti is shut down after gang violence erupted Monday attempting to seize control, the U.S. Embassy said.
In a statement, the embassy said it was aware of “gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince” and the Touissant L’Overture airport has a “temporary pause in operations.”
“The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous. Travel within Haiti is conducted at your own risk. The U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety traveling to airports, borders, or during any onward travel,” the embassy said.
Fights between gangs and police broke out in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, The Associated Press reported.
A Spirit Airlines flight was hit by gunfire at the airport. The flight was headed to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and was diverted to Santiago, Dominican Republic.
One flight attendant on board reported “minor injures” and is being evaluated by medical personnel, and no airline guests reported injuries.
The violence comes a day after the transitionary council created to reestablish democratic control in Haiti signed a decree firing its interim Prime Minister, Garry Conille. He was replaced with Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, marking another rocky democratic transition for the country that’s been plagued by gang violence, the AP reported.
Updated at 5:49 p.m. EST.
Topics
-
Haiti’s main airport shuts down as gang violence surges in the capital, US embassy says
World - ABC News - 2 days ago -
Haiti’s main airport shuts down as gang violence surges and a new prime minister is sworn in
World - ABC News - 2 days ago -
Haiti's main airport shut down after planes hit by gunfire
Top stories - CBS News - Yesterday -
US prohibits airlines from flying to Haiti and UN suspends flights after planes were shot by gangs
World - ABC News - Yesterday -
Desperation over gang violence fuels a surge of migration from Ecuador to the US
World - ABC News - October 30 -
Haiti's largest airport temporarily shuts down after at least two planes hit by gunfire
Top stories - CBS News - Yesterday -
Gang Gunfire in Haiti Hits U.S. Embassy Vehicles and U.N. Helicopter
World - The New York Times - October 25
More from The Hill
-
Giuliani’s lawyers quit over ‘fundamental disagreement’
Politics - The Hill - 35 minutes ago -
Bolton calls for FBI investigations before Gaetz, Gabbard confirmations
Politics - The Hill - 47 minutes ago -
Democrats express concern over Gaetz pick
Politics - The Hill - 1 hour ago -
Jamie Lee Curtis deactivates her account on X
Politics - The Hill - 1 hour ago -
Trump gets blowback for untested Pentagon chief pick
Politics - The Hill - 1 hour ago
Latest in Politics
-
Tracker: Who is joining the Trump White House?
Politics - NBC News - 19 minutes ago -
Trump's pick for top intel job has been accused of 'traitorous' parroting of Russian propaganda
Politics - NBC News - 21 minutes ago -
Giuliani’s lawyers quit over ‘fundamental disagreement’
Politics - The Hill - 35 minutes ago -
Bolton calls for FBI investigations before Gaetz, Gabbard confirmations
Politics - The Hill - 47 minutes ago -
Trump to nominate Matt Gaetz for attorney general
Politics - CBS News - 48 minutes ago