A U.S. passenger aircraft came under fire while flying to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Monday, forcing it to divert its course. The Spirit Airlines passenger plane, which had departed from Fort Lauderdale, was struck by gunfire and had to make an emergency landing in Santiago, Dominican Republic. While one crew member sustained injuries, all passengers emerged unharmed.
This incident underscored Haiti’s growing security crisis as the country struggles with surging gang violence. A prominent gang leader, Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, has recently threatened to intensify armed activities in Port-au-Prince, spreading warnings via social media and urging residents to be cautious.
The security crisis is further aggravated by political turmoil. Just recently, interim Prime Minister Gary Conille was dismissed and replaced by Didier Lespérance, who is working through a transitional committee to organize presidential elections within the next two years. However, escalating tensions with Conille have deepened internal divisions.
Haiti has been mired in severe social unrest since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. UN reports reveal the humanitarian toll: nearly half the population—about 5.4 million people—are facing food insecurity, and more than 700,000 individuals have been displaced.
An international police force led by Kenya has been deployed to restore order, though experts say Haiti requires additional support and assistance from the global community.
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