Haiti Gangs Rampage, Attack Capital's Prison, Leading to Escape of Nearly 4,000 Inmates
Armed gangs in Haiti launched a surprise attack on the main prison in the capital, Port-au-Prince, on the 2nd, resulting in a mass prison break, with at least 3 known deaths. A human rights lawyer pointed out that of the nearly 4,000 prisoners held there, less than a hundred remain.
Violent incidents are frequent in Haiti, with 80% of the area in the capital, Port-au-Prince, already under the control of armed gang members. The Haitian government has declared a state of emergency, and the country's security forces will enforce a curfew and detain violators, except for law enforcement personnel, police, medical staff, and verified journalists. The aim is to allow the government to restore order and take appropriate measures to regain control of the situation.
The riot was instigated by Jimmy Cherizier, the leader of the most powerful gang in Haiti - the G-9 alliance, with the aim of overthrowing the incumbent Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Because Prime Minister Henry claimed to hold elections and return power to the people but repeatedly broke his word, the Haitian gang took this as an excuse to overthrow Prime Minister Henry's regime and cause chaos. This prison break incident, while further asserting the gang's control over Port-au-Prince, also marks a new stage in the endless violence in Haiti.
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