Haitian Gangs Open Fire on U.S. Embassy; Marines in Port-au-Prince Return Fire | WPN World People News

U.S. Marine Corps spokesperson Captain Steven J. Keenan confirmed on the 15th that a group of suspected Haitian gang members opened fire this week on U.S. forces tasked with protecting the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince, underscoring the continued deterioration of local security conditions.

In an emailed statement, Keenan said the shooting occurred on the 13th, though news of the incident only emerged over the weekend. After coming under attack, the Marines returned fire, and fortunately no one was injured. The Associated Press noted that Haitian police could not be reached for comment.

Nearly 90% of Haiti’s capital is now under gang control. Armed groups wield heavy firepower as they fight for territory and rely on extortion, kidnapping, and other crimes for profit. While the U.S. Embassy remains operational, the State Department has repeatedly issued travel warnings in recent years, urging American citizens to avoid Haiti due to risks of crime, terrorism, and civil unrest.

According to United Nations data, gang violence has displaced more than 1.3 million Haitians. Since President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated by mercenaries in 2021, Haiti has faced a prolonged power vacuum, has been unable to hold elections to select new leadership, and has seen its security environment collapse.

To help stabilize the situation, the UN Security Council voted at the end of September to assemble an international security support mission of roughly 5,500 personnel to assist in combating armed gangs in Haiti. However, the UN human rights office noted that 5,600 Haitians were killed by gangs just last year, and the smaller Kenya-led police contingent previously deployed has struggled to effectively curb criminal activity.